Caen and Toulouse braced for relegation six-pointer

 SM Caen – Toulouse FC 

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Caen have endured a difficult start to the 2018/19 Ligue 1 Conforama campaign, winning just two of their 17 matches so far, the last of which came back in Week 8, when they edged Amiens SC 1-0.

Shoots of promise

The Normandy club showed shoots of promise in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at RC Strasbourg Alsace, though, twice coming from behind to snatch share of the spoils. A win here could take them into 16^th, at least until Dijon FCO and Amiens play their matches on 22 December, and coach Fabien Mercadal is upbeat.

Watch: Highlights of Caen’s 2-2 draw with Strasbourg

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“We stayed focused, stayed in the match and levelled twice,” he said after the Strasbourg match. “I think we scored points for mental strength. It was a good match for our confidence. We’re in fight mode and if we hadn’t been we would’ve lost 5-1. Every match galvanises our squad.”

Galvanised or not, Mercadal is likely to be without Yacine Bammou for the visit of Toulouse. The Morocco striker came off injured with a hernia against Strasbourg, so Saif-Eddine Khaoui, who scored the late equaliser on Sunday from the bench, could get the not to start in attack.

History on their side?

Caen are at least boosted by the return of Alexander Djiku. The defender twisted his ankle in the 2-1 loss to Nîmes Olympique two weeks ago, but has been named in the matchday squad and could slot in at right-back.

Malherbe have recent history on their side against Toulouse, having shut Le Téfécé out in each of their last four encounters at the Stade Michel d’Ornano, but Alain Casanova’s men have had a recent, long-overdue, upturn of their own, with the 1-0 win over Stade de Reims last time out their first three-point haul since Week 4.

Watch: Highlights of Toulouse’s 1-0 win over Reims

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Reynet or Goicoechea?

“The match may not have been played exactly as I wanted it but it was a big result,” said a philosophical Casanova in the bowels of the Stade Auguste Delaune. “My staff, my players and I are all united. I wasn’t too convinced by our performance but I can only congratulate the players.”

Toulouse are boosted by the return of first-choice goalkeeper Baptiste Reynet, although Uruguayan shot-stopper Mauro Goicoechea has deputised well in his absence. Club vice-captain Christopher Jullien is also back in contention, but on loan Manchester City midfielder Manu Garcia is suspended.

Possible teams

Caen: Samba; Guilbert, Baysse, Djiku, Armougom; Sankoh, Oniangué, Fajr; Beauvue, Crivelli, Khaoui 

Toulouse: Reynet; Amian, Mbia, Moubandjé; Diakité, Sidibé, Durmaz, Sylla; Gradel; Jean, Leya Iseka

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