Le Mans FC face a difficult away trip to Auxerre this Sunday, 25 October (17:15), in a key match to try and stop a run of three consecutive league defeats. The club, sitting 16th in the table with just six points from seven games, needs a positive result at the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps to regain momentum. With a record of one win, three draws, and three losses, the team trails the leaders, Lyon, by eight points.
Le Mans's last outing ended in a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Toulouse on 16 October. Before that, the manager's side also lost at Paris Saint-Germain (3-1) and at Guingamp (2-1). Their only win of the season dates back to matchday five against Lorient (2-1). Their recent form over the last five games reads one win, one draw, and three losses. The team has scored ten goals this season but conceded fifteen, for a goal difference of -5.
Striker Louis Mafouta, the team's top scorer with four goals in seven appearances, will be a key asset to turn things around.
Opponents Auxerre, in 12th place, arrive with mixed morale after a 3-1 win at Le Havre last week, which followed a 4-1 loss at Rennes. The Burgundy side has a solid collective, recently fielding a 3-4-2-1 formation with Nardi in goal and attacking players like Faivre and Archer.
The Le Mans starting eleven is likely to again rely on a back three with Kocik, Sidibé and Yohou, and the strike partnership of Mafouta and Guèye. The upcoming fixtures will be decisive for survival, and a point on the road would be a good start. Sunday's match kicks off at 17:15.
