Stade Reims vs Lille OSC preview - Vasseur still fears Dogues' bite

Reims boss Jean-Luc Vasseur will not let Lille's European troubles affect his preparation for Sunday's Ligue 1 clash.

Les Dogues were beaten 3-0 by Everton in the Europa League on Thursday, meaning they face an uphill task to reach the knockout stages of the competition.

Rene Girard's team are also struggling in domestic competition, lying 12th after picking up just one point from their last four games.

Reims are only a point and a place below their opponents after going four matches unbeaten - but Vasseur still sees "formidable" opposition visiting the Stade Auguste Delaune.

He told his club's official website: "They have fewer points than you may expect - and they have lost a little juice with their involvement in European competition.

"However, Lille are still a formidable team with high quality players. They will react.

"I watched the Everton game and knowing their coach and the mentality of the team, I think we will have a difficult game."

Vasseur's sentiments were echoed by striker Nicolas De Preville, who said: "Everton were very good and they will want to break this downward spiral."

On his own charges, Vasseur continued: "There is progress - but much work remains open.

"The championship is a marathon and there are vagaries of the calendar. There will be times when making points is tough and times when you must maximise what you have."

Meanwhile, Lille defender Franck Beria does not see an easy end to the team's poor recent run of results - they are without a win in seven matches in all competitions.

He told his club's official website: "There is not a lack of unity among us but this will be a very, very complicated meeting for us. We need to show pride.

"Reims are combative and we must be efficient both defensively and offensively if we are to recover."