Nimes take on Sochaux at the Stade des Antonins on Friday evening, in the final match of the Ligue 2 season.

The hosts have already been relegated, having acquired just 33 points from 37 games, while the visitors are up in sixth place, a considerable way off the automatic promotion places.

Match preview

It has been a very disappointing campaign for Nimes, with a 19th-placed finish now mathematically confirmed, and they are poised to return to the third tier of French football for the first time since 2012.

Having played in Ligue 1 just two seasons ago, it has been a dramatic fall from grace for the Crocodiles, and they have continued to look very poor in recent weeks, winning just one of their last eight Ligue 2 games.

Goal-scoring has not been a major issue for Frederic Bompard's side during that time period, but their defensive issues have plagued them, conceding 18 goals, shipping more than two a game on average.

Although Friday's game ultimately does not count for anything, it is a chance for Nimes to finish their season on a positive note, but they have a very poor recent record against their opponents, losing five of the last six meetings between the two sides.

The Crocodiles can take some solace in the fact that last time they were relegated to the third tier they returned as league winners at the first opportunity, but their relegation from Ligue 2 will still be very tough to take.

In their final match as a Ligue 2 side, Nimes come up against Sochaux, who are currently sitting sixth in the table, but will be very disappointed they have been unable to make a push for promotion.

After a 3-0 win against Niort at the beginning of April, the Yellow and Blues were in a far stronger position, but they have gone on to lose their last seven games, most recently putting in a very poor performance at home against Metz.

Pierre-Alain Frau's side lost 1-0 at home against Les Grenats, and they have now failed to score in four out of their last five games, which is a real surprise, given that they still have one of the best attacking records in the league.

Sochaux have scored 53 goals this term, the third-highest amount of any side, so their recent drop-off is incomprehensible, and it is something they will need to fix ahead of next season, when they will be hoping to be in the mix for promotion to Ligue 1.

Friday's game will serve as an opportunity for the Yellow and Blues to at least sign off with a win, and their recent record against Nimes bodes well, winning 3-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Team News

Given that Friday's game is a dead rubber, Bompard may choose to give a few young players a chance, and 20-year-old Leon Delpech could come in for Guessouma Fofana in central midfield, having appeared as a substitute in the last two games.

Despite Nimes' disappointing run of form, Rafiki Said has been prolific in front of goal as of late, scoring four goals in his last five games, and the striker is poised to get the nod, playing alongside Malik Tchokounte in a 4-3-1-2 system.

The only notable absentee for Sochaux is midfielder Skelly Alvero, with the 21-year-old being shown a straight red card last time out, meaning they may be forced to switch to a 4-4-2 system, with forward Eliezer Mayenda coming into the side.

Frau has been giving minutes to some of the Yellow and Blues' younger players recently, and he could give the nod to Alex Daho on the left wing, with Christ Makosso on the opposite side.

Nimes possible starting lineup:
Nazih; Guessoum, Djiga, De Gevigney, Ambri; Benezet, Zerkane, Delpech, Pagis; Said, Tchokounte

Sochaux possible starting lineup:
Prevot; Faussurier, Meddah, Agouzoul, Armougom; Kanoute, De Sea, Daho, Kalulu; Mayenda, Sissoko

We say: Nimes 0-0 Sochaux

With both sides in such terrible form, it is very difficult to predict a winner in this encounter, and it would not be a surprise if neither side have enough quality to take all three points.

Given Sochaux's very poor record in front of goal in recent weeks, we expect it to finish as a stalemate.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

Written by
Dominic Lund

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