Two teams locked together on ten points in Ligue 1 will be looking to gain the ascendency over one another when 12th-placed Toulouse host 13th-placed Strasbourg.
Match News and Current Form
Toulouse will be looking to bounce back after their five-game unbeaten run (W2, D3) came to an end last round when they lost 2-0 to Marseille, the second successive game in which they failed to find the net. Losing in Ligue 1 usually leads to further trouble for the Violets, who have won just one of their last nine Ligue 1 games immediately following a defeat (D4, L4), and a return to the Stadium de Toulouse doesn’t guarantee better fortune since they have won just three of their last 11 home league matches (D4, L4). Kicking off the weekend’s action hasn’t been comfortable for them either, as Toulouse have won just two of their last 19 Friday-held Ligue 1 fixtures (D4, L13).
Visitors Strasbourg find themselves level on points with their hosts courtesy of an immensely unexpected result last round, when they put a four-game losing run behind them in emphatic fashion with a 5-1 win over Auxerre. The only negative from the result is that the Blue and Whites have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 18 consecutive games in all competitions, which doesn’t bode well for them here considering they’ve lost four of their five away games this season and conceded 2+ goals in each (W1). They also possess an unfavourable record under the Friday night lights, having been victorious in just one of their last 16 Ligue 1 games on a Friday (D4, L11).
Head-to-Head History
Toulouse completed a double over Strasbourg last term, which would have been a welcome pair of results considering they had won just one of the 15 H2Hs prior (D4, L10).
Hot Stats and Streaks
Toulouse have scored 11 of their 12 league goals after half-time this season.
Just two of Toulouse’s last 12 home matches were decided by a 2+ goal margin.
Seven of Strasbourg’s last eight games saw both teams score.
Strasbourg have won just three of their last 13 away league matches when starting as the betting outsiders (D2, L8).
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Toulouse’s Jacen Russell-Rowe could be the man to get the team off to a positive start as four of his last five goals have served as the match opener. Strasbourg’s Gessime Yassine may be the one to strike late if needed, since four of his last five goals have come after half-time.
Rafik Messali will be unavailable for Toulouse, while Strasbourg will have to deal with the absence of Fábio Baldé.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Choosing both teams to score in the second half seems likely given that each team's recent trends could lead to the majority of the action taking place after the break.
Author: Peter Stavrinou