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

After both sides suffered a heavy defeat on the opening day of the season, Reims and Clermont will be looking for a response when they face off at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II on Sunday.

The hosts lost 4-1 to Marseille in their opening game, while Clermont were thrashed 5-0 by defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Match preview

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After losing only 1-0 to Marseille in April, Reims would have entered their opening day fixture with the confidence to challenge Igor Tudor's side.

However, they found themselves 2-0 down at half time after Wout Faes own goal gave Marseille the lead before Nuno Tavares doubled the advantage in first-half stoppage time.

Luis Suarez added a third before Folarin Balogun scored Reims' first goal of the season, but a second goal from Suarez condemned Les rouges et blancs to a 4-1 defeat.

Despite ending last season with three consecutive home defeats, Reims will hope that their first home match of the new season can also bring about their first points.

The hosts can take confidence from the fact that they edged out Sunday's opponents 1-0 in the home meeting between the two sides last season.

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After losing 6-1 to PSG in April, there would have been a feeling of trepidation around the Clermont squad when the fixture list revealed they would open their campaign with a home encounter against the French champions.

There was a sense of Deja vu for the hosts on the opening day of the season after Neymar, Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos all found the net in the first half to give PSG an unassailable lead before two late goals from Lionel Messi condemned Clermont to a 5-0 defeat.

Despite beginning the campaign with a disappointing result, Les Lanciers will be looking to improve on last season's 17th-placed finish.

If they replicate that finishing position this season then Clermont's two-season stay in Ligue 1 will come to an end due to the league's restructure, which will see four teams relegated.

With avoiding relegation their main priority, Clermont will believe that they have to take points from games such as Sunday's encounter, although they face a tough task after losing eight of their previous 13 meetings with Reims.

Team News

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Reims are expected to be without the services of Nathanael Mbuku and Junya Ito, who are sidelined with knee and groin injuries respectively.

Following the defeat to Marseille, the hosts could make a couple of changes, including Kamory Doumbia who could be set to replace Arber Zeneli.

After coming off the bench to score last weekend, Balogun is expected to be rewarded with a starting place.

As for the visitors, a calf problem will prevent Grejohn Kyei from featuring, while Mehdi Zeffane is ruled out with a hamstring injury.

After missing out on a starting place against PSG, Saif-Eddine Khaoui could come into the side for Sunday's contest.

Summer signing Komnen Andric will continue to lead the line for Clermont, and the former Dinamo Zagreb forward will be hoping to open his account for his new club.

Reims possible starting lineup:

Pentz; Gravillon, Faes, Abdelhamid, Locko; Matusiwa, Agbadou, Munetsi; Van Bergen, Doumbia, Balogun

Clermont possible starting lineup:

Diaw; Seidu, Wieteska, Ogier, Borges; Gastien, Gonalons; Allevinah, Khaoui, Rashani; Andric

We say: Reims 1-1 Clermont

The most recent meeting between the two sides ended in a draw, and with both clubs suffering heavy defeats on the opening weekend of the season, we think that they will be content with a point apiece.

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