Ligue 1 | Gameweek 25

Mar 9, 2025 at 4.15pm UK

Stade Auguste-Delaune II

Reims vs Auxerre

Match preview

Reims made a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign, winning four, drawing two and losing just one of their opening seven Ligue 1 games, but their form has since dropped off considerably.

The Red and Whites have won just once in their next 17 league games, recording five draws and a disappointing 11 defeats, including a 13-match winless streak heading into this fixture.

That run saw Luka Elsner sacked as coach, with Samba Diawara taking over on an interim basis before being announced as the new permanent boss.

However, Diawara has been unable to turn around Reims' fortunes since taking over, as they have lost all four of their Ligue 1 matches under his stewardship, failing to score a single goal in the process.

The results have pushed Reims closer to the relegation zone and they now sit in 15th place, just one point above the bottom three, with 22 points from 24 games, just two points ahead of 16th-placed Le Havre.

Looking to put an end to their miserable run and extend their lead over the relegation zone, Reims take on an Auxerre side who have struggled in similar fashion this season.

The visitors lost four and won just one of their opening five Ligue 1 games, before improving rapidly to win five, draw three and lose just twice in their next 10.

However, Christophe Pelissier's side have stumbled since then, recording just one win, four draws and five defeats in their next 10 games in all competitions.

The results have seen Auxerre drop from eighth on Matchday 14 to 12th heading into this game, with the visitors now just eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Pelissier will be desperate for his side to end their current run with a win and avoid dropping any closer to the bottom three, but the visitors have a dismal record at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II, having failed to win in their last three competitive visits.

Recent Performance

Reims Ligue 1 form:DLLLLL

Reims form (all competitions):WLLLWL

Auxerre Ligue 1 form:DLDDWL

Team News

The hosts will be without Gabriel Moscardo, Mohamed Daramy, Nhoa Sangui, Reda Khadra, Jordan Pefok and Yaya Fofana due to injury.

Cedric Kipre will also be unavailable after receiving a red card in the 1-0 defeat to Rennes at the end of last month, meaning Joseph Okumu could partner Mory Gbane at the heart of the defence.

Elsewhere, there is likely to be a change in the attacking line-up with Reims still searching for their first league goal since Diawara's arrival, meaning Oumar Diakite could start ahead of Teddy Teuma.

As for Auxerre, Lasso Coulibaly is likely to be their only absentee as the winger is set to be sidelined until May with a cruciate ligament injury.

Although they lost 1-0 to Strasbourg in their last outing, an encouraging performance could see Pelissier stick with a similar starting XI this time around.

Possible starting lineup

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Sekine, Okumu, Gbane, Akieme; Patrick, Edoa; Ito, Teuma, Nakamura; Diakite

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Leon; Osho, Jubal, Akpa; Hoever, Danois, Owusu, Mensah; Perrin, Traore; Bair