Ligue 1 - 03/03/2007
Sochaux v Nantes - Sunday’s Big Match Preview
Nantes travel east hoping to regsiter their first win in eight league games while Sochaux will be looking to climb to third above fellow season surprises Toulouse in Sunday's first Ligue 1 game.
Sochaux v Nantes
Ligue 1, Matchday 27
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Kick-Off: 18:00 (CET)
Stade Bonal
A 3-3 draw with Lyon last weekend saw Sochaux continue their resurgence with a second non-defeat. Alain Perrin's men had failed to win a match since the turn of the year until the visit of Le Mans to the Stade Bonal on Matchday 25. Then, a 2-0 win elevated them, despite their lack of form, up to fourth, a position which they held on to with their draw with Lyon last Saturday.
A reason for their revival has been the return of Moumouni Dagano and the form of new signing Sébastien Grax from Monaco. Unfortunately, they threw away a two goal lead at the Stade Gerland in the last two minutes as Lyon showed their title credentials with goals from Wiltord and Juninho. However, that disappointment was soon erased with a 2-1 win over PSG in the French Cup mid-week. Goals from Mickaël Isabey and Dagano ensured a semi-final appearance and they will welcome relegation candidates Nantes, a team who have won only once away from home all season.
Perrin will have to do without the services of Senegal captain Omar Daf who is out due to a shin injury as well as 20 year-old striker Julien Quercia and midfielder Badara Sène.
Nantes, whose away form has seen them struggle all season, currently occupy 19th place with two consecutive draws having recently raised spirits if not their actual league position. Their last victory came on Matchday 20 in January against Nice and although the new managerial duo of Michel Der Zakarian and Japhet N'Doram have steadied the ship in recent games they need to start converting draws into wins if they are to avoid slipping into Ligue 2 at the end of the season.
Tuesday evening's penalty shoot-out win over Sedan in the French Cup quarter-final after a 1-1 draw will have provided some valuable confidence but a third game in a week will test their energy levels.
Midfielders Alioum Saïdou and Emerse Faé who both returned to action last weekend are available for the visit east while Kévin Das Neves and Mauro Cetto, who were both missing due to suspension are available again. However, defenders Nicolas Savinaud (hamstring), Eric Cubilier (ankle) and Franck Signorino (abdomen) are all out along with Dmitri Payet who will serve the second match of a three game ban
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