Bordeaux welcome Reims in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, with the visitors looking to avoid dropping into the relegation zone ahead of France's winter break.
The hosts, meanwhile, can end 2020 in a top half position in the table by beating their opponents.
Match preview
© Reuters
With former Swansea City manager Paolo Sousa resigning from his position as manager of Bordeaux in August, expectations were unclear heading into this unique campaign.
Having finished in 12th position last season, Jean-Louis Gasset has guided the club to the same position after the opening 16 games. With six wins, four draws and six losses, Bordeaux feel like a club who are unlikely to threaten either end of the table.
Indeed, they have struggled for consistency under Gasset's tutelage, failing to win two matches in a row all season. The recent 2-1 loss at home to a Saint-Etienne side, who have been struggling under former Leicester City manager Claude Puel, was a real disappointment.
However, strikes from Pablo and Otavio helped Gasset's side bounce back with a 2-0 win at Strasbourg on Sunday, so a second consecutive win for the first time this season against Reims - who are level on points with Strasbourg with an identical goal difference - would really lift spirits ahead of Christmas.
© Reuters
With just one win in their last seven matches, morale is far from high at Reims, who have dropped to 17th in the table in recent weeks.
Indeed, after finishing sixth last season and subsequently qualifying for European competition for the first time since the 1962-63 campaign, things have not exactly gone to plan for David Guion's side this campaign.
Knocked out of the Europa League third qualifying round by Hungarian runners-up Fehervar, Reims are in danger of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle rather than looking up the table as they were last season prior to the curtailment of all French football due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, after beating fellow strugglers Nantes 3-2, Guion's side affirmed their quality by becoming only the second side this season to leave Marseille without being defeated after a creditable 1-1 draw on Saturday. Yuto Nagatomo's own goal gave the visitors the lead before Florian Thauvin levelled proceedings moments before the half-time interval, but Reims held on for a crucial point.
If they can avoid defeat once more at Bordeaux, then they are assured of ending 2020 outside of the relegation zone.
Bordeaux Ligue 1 form: WDWLLW
Reims Ligue 1 form: LLDLWD
Team News
© Reuters
Bordeaux are without former Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny and Samuel Kalu, with the duo both recovering from muscle injuries.
Given the quick turnaround between fixtures, Gasset may look to make a few changes, with former Lyon attacker Jimmy Briand hoping for a rare start having been brought on from the substitutes' bench in the win at Strasbourg.
Reims, meanwhile, will not have forward Anastasios Donis available, with the Greece international also recovering from a muscle injury.
Guion will be hoping for one more push from top goalscorer Boulaye Dia ahead of the winter break, with the striker failing to score from open play since the 4-4 draw against Lens more than six weeks ago.
Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Costil; Sabaly, Baysse, Pablo, Benito; Otavio, Basic; Zerkane, Ben Arfa, Oudin; Maja
Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Foket, Faes, Abdelhamid, De Smet; Cafaro, Berisha, Cassama, Chavalerin, Zeneli; Dia
We say: Bordeaux 1-1 Reims
With Reims' form picking up of late, we can see them gaining the point they require to ensure they do not spend Christmas in the relegation zone.
With the likes of Hatem Ben Arfa and Josh Maja, Bordeaux arguably have more range with their attacking threats, but Dia is due a goal and should deliver for the visitors on Wednesday.
