Reims and Lorient will both be looking to end torrid runs of form when the two struggling Ligue 1 sides meet at the Stade Auguste-Delaune II on Saturday.
Only two points separate the two clubs in the table heading into gameweek seven, with Reims sitting in 19th and Lorient occupying 17th spot as things stand.
Match preview
Reims are still winless in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 season, but David Guion would have been satisfied with his side's performance against Rennes prior to the international break, which saw Les Rouge et Blanc battle to a 2-2 draw against the league leaders.
This weekend's hosts managed to end a four-game losing streak in the top flight with that four-goal stalemate earlier this month, but Reims have been a shadow of the side that qualified for the Europa League at the end of the curtailed 2019-20 campaign.
Furthermore, Reims' European venture ended prematurely as they were knocked out by Hungarian outfit Fehervar in the third Europa League qualifying round, despite managing to overcome Servette in their first international showdown of the season.
Nevertheless, Guion can now focus all his efforts into steering his side further up the table with no Europa League football to contend with, and a showdown with an equally poor Lorient side potentially represents Les Rouge et Blanc's best opportunity to get their first three points of the 2020-21 campaign on the board.
However, Reims are yet to register a goal yet alone a point on home soil thus far, with Guion's men losing 1-0 to Lille and 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain on familiar territory this term.
Lorient were promoted back to the big time from the 2019-20 Ligue 2 campaign, but Christophe Pelissier's side are looking like early candidates for an immediate return to the second division.
Indeed, Lorient have not tasted success in Ligue 1 since a 3-1 victory over Strasbourg in their inaugural game of the season, with Pelissier witnessing his side lose four of their next five outings - including a 3-1 defeat to Metz in their most recent game.
Finding the back of the net is not a problem for Lorient - nine goals scored is the joint-highest of the bottom nine sides in the table - but with 13 goals shipped at the other end, only Angers have conceded more in six games.
However, Lorient are now facing a Reims side who they have triumphed over three times on the bounce, with Les Rouge et Blanc winless against their weekend opponents since the 2015-16 Ligue 1 campaign.
Reims Ligue 1 form: DLLLLD
Reims form (all competitions): LWLLLD
Lorient Ligue 1 form: WLLLDL
Team News
Reims midfielder Marshall Munetsi is suspended for this bout, meaning that former Lazio man Valon Berisha could be handed a start on Saturday after turning out for Kosovo during the international break.
Tristan Dingome was struggling with a thigh problem but rejoined Ligue 2 side Troyes during the transfer window, while Reims have no other injury concerns heading into gameweek seven.
Goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic was forced off at half time in the draw with Rennes, but the Serbia international joined up with his country for the Nations League and should be back in the fold here.
As for Lorient, Pelissier has no absentees to contend with apart from Matthieu Saunier, who remains sidelined with an ankle problem.
Lorient saw a few of their contingent receive call-ups for their national teams for October's fixtures, namely Adrian Grbic, Yoane Wissa and Thomas Fontaine, but the internationals could have a chance of featuring here.
However, Inter Milan loanee Andreaw Gravillon is waiting in the wings and is in contention to start should Pelissier opt for a five-man defence once again.
Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Foket, Faes, Maresic, Konan; Kutesa, Chavalerin, Berisha, Mbuku; Dia, Toure
Lorient possible starting lineup:
Nardi; Mendes, Laporte, Gravillon, Fontaine, Goff; Monconduit, Lemoine, Le Fee; Wissa, Grbic
We say: Reims 2-1 Lorient
Both of these teams have started the season poorly but will see this game as a prime opportunity to register a vital three points. With Reims and Lorient both seeing some of their crop turn out for their national sides, changes may be expected on both ends owing to a congested schedule, but we are backing the hosts to just edge this one.
