Preview:Clermont vs. Strasbourg - prediction, team news, lineups

Clermont and Strasbourg will battle it out for a place in the last 16 of this year's Coupe de France when they go head to head at Stade Gabriel Montpied on Sunday.

The hosts will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce while their visitors head into this weekend's clash on a six-game unbeaten streak.

Match preview

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Strasbourg cruised to a routine 4-0 victory over Avoine at Stade Marcel Vignaud two Saturdays ago to secure safe passage into the last 32 of the French Cup.

Patrick Vieira's men went into the interval with a two-goal lead thanks to strikes from Kevin Gameiro and Moise Dion after which Dion and Mohamed Bechikh grabbed second-half strikes to seal the deal.

Les Bleu et Blanc played out a 1-1 stalemate against Olympique Marseille in their subsequent league outing and remain ninth in the standings.

Unbeaten in their last four matches on the road, Sunday's visitors have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack away from home of late.

Clermont Foot saw off the threat of Metz via a penalty shootout in the sides' last-64 encounter at the Stade Saint-Symphorien two Fridays ago.

Pascal Gastien's men trailed to Sadibou Sane's strike midway through the first half but managed to level matters through Jim Allevinah after which Massamba Ndiaye turned out to be the hero.

Les Lanciers claimed a 2-1 win over Nantes in their last league outing and have moved up to 17th place in the Ligue 1 table, two points adrift of safety.

Lying in store next is the challenge of an opposing outfit who are unbeaten in the last five editions of this fixture across all competitions.

Having won just one of 10 home matches leading up to Sunday's affair, the hosts will be keen to give their fans reason to cheer this time around.

Team News

Strasbourg's Saidou Sow is on international duty with Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations and is unavailable to feature in this weekend's contest.

Karol Fila and Lebo Mothiba miss out for the hosts through knee injuries as Emanuel Emegha continues to battle with a calf problem.

Forward Shamar Nicholson has directly contributed to each of Clermont's last three goals and will be looking to deliver the goods once again.

The home side will be without the services of Jeremie Bela, Mory Diaw and Alidu Seidu who are all away at the ongoing AFCON, while Stan Berkani remains out of action through injury.

Clermont possible starting lineup: N'Diaye; Neto, Ogier, Pelmard; Konate, Gonalons, Gastien, Armougom; Allevinah, Muhammed, Nicholson

Strasbourg possible starting lineup: Bellaarouch; Sobol, Sylla, Baseya, Senaya; Sissoko, Diarra; Deminguet, Gameiro, Angelo; Dion

We say: Clermont 1-2 Strasbourg

Strasbourg have turned a corner in recent weeks and will be confident of coming out on top this weekend. We are tipping the away side to edge out their hosts and make it through to the Coupe de France last 16.

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