Reims — Clermont : Match Preview and Prediction for September 23,2025

Reims’ Recent Goal-Fest

Reims approaches this match after a veritable goal-fest. Their last game against Saint-Étienne ended in a thrilling 3-2 defeat. While they lost, the key takeaway for our prediction is that they managed to score twice away against one of the league leaders. Midfielder Teddy Teuma netted a brace, including one from the penalty spot, highlighting his excellent form and crucial attacking role.

Attacking Intent and Statistics

The statistics from that encounter unequivocally scream “attacking mindset” from Reims. The players unleashed 17 shots on goal, with 7 of them on target. Their Expected Goals (xG) metric stood at 1.98, indicating that the team generated chances worth almost two clear goals. They don’t merely sit back in defense; instead, they constantly push forward, seeking opportunities in the opponent’s final third, further evidenced by the 6 corners they earned.

Defensive Concerns and Absences

Now, to the most critical aspect for our prediction – defense. Conceding three goals against Saint-Étienne is a serious warning sign. Coach Karel Geraerts himself remarked after the match that the team needs to be “more realistic in both penalty areas,” a direct admission of issues in both finishing and, crucially, defending. The situation is compounded by the absence of key defender Joseph Okumu due to injury. His unavailability, as noted in the press, significantly impacts defensive organization and forces the coach into continuous experimentation with the backline.

Clermont’s Goal-Scoring Trend

Moving on to the visitors. Here, I have a strong argument for them scoring, backed by statistics. In 8 out of their last 11 matches, both teams have found the net. This trend is remarkably consistent and cannot be ignored. Clermont plays a style of football that frequently leads to goals at both ends.

A Fortunate Victory

Yes, their last game saw them secure a 1-0 victory against Rodez. However, a deeper dive reveals this win was widely described in the media as a “heist.” Clermont was thoroughly outplayed in terms of chances created: Rodez’s xG was 1.51, while Clermont’s was a mere 0.40. The visitors held on largely thanks to their goalkeeper and a stroke of luck, but such defensive fragility cannot be sustained consistently.

Consistent Goal Exchange

Let’s look at their games preceding this “miracle” win. A 1-2 loss to Saint-Étienne, a 2-1 victory over Grenoble, and a 2-2 draw with Dunkerque. In all these matches, Clermont both scored and conceded. The team knows how to create their opportunities, as demonstrated by Adrien Hunou’s beautifully struck volley against Rodez. They possess players capable of making a decisive impact in critical moments.

Defensive Vulnerability

Despite their attacking moments, Clermont’s defense is constantly under pressure. Reviewing their season statistics reveals that the team leads the league in the number of corners conceded and opponent crosses into their box. This clearly indicates that their defenders allow opponents too much freedom in and around their penalty area.