Lille vs Lyon: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

The race for Champions League qualification is centre stage in Ligue 1 this weekend with important places up for grabs as we approach the final stages of the season. Lille hosts Lyon, with the home side well within the competition for a Champions League place next season.

In France, the top three places in Ligue 1 are awarded a Champions League spot because of the number of teams being less than the other major leagues in question. As it stands, the three teams securing a path to play in Europe’s elite are newly crowned Champions Paris Saint Germain, AS Monaco and Stade Brest.

Lille are one of the chasing teams below and are only within touching distance of both AS Monaco and Stade Brest. Lille are only a point behind Brest having played the same number of games this season, and more importantly they have a far superior goal difference if it were to come to those differentials.

A win for Lille in their game over Lyon and if Brest drop points, Lille would be able to overtake Brest with two games remaining. They would also be able to close the gap on Monaco.

On paper, Lille have the toughest remaining fixtures. Not only do they encounter Lyon but they also host OGC Nice on the final day, who are only a place below Lille in the table.

As for the away side, Lyon are realistically not going to challenge the European places via a league position. The once former dominant team in France are currently eighth in the league, seven points behind OGC Nice in the league standings. OGC Nice occupy a Europa Conference League spot as it stands.

Lyon can however still qualify for European Football next season. The visitors have qualified for the Coup de France final in which they face the daunting task of overcoming Paris Saint Germain.

Lille

Samuel Umtiti is ruled out with a long-term injury for the home side. There are four suspension risks for Lille including the likes of Angel Gomes and Leny Yoro.

Lyon

There are three suspensions risks for Lyon this game and no injury concerns whatsoever.

The recent history between the two sides suggest that Lyon could be the favourites for this game. In the least five games between the two sides, the away side have won three from that five, drawing only once and losing the remaining game. The fixture at Lille last season finished in a highly entertaining 3-3 draw.

Alexandre Lacazette scored a brace for the away side, along with a goal from recent Paris Saint Germain player Bradley Barcola. Their efforts were thwarted by a wonderful display by Jonathan David. The Canadian produced a stunning showing by scoring three goals to originally put Lille 3-1 up on the night.

In the last 20 occasions these two sides have met, Lille technically have the better record over the last 20 game period despite suffering in recent games between the two sides. Lille have won eight of the 20 games, drawing seven and losing five. Three of those five games have come in the last five games in all competitions.

The home side hasn’t won this fixture since 2020. Lille were 1-0 winners that day thanks to a goal from former Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea striker Loic Remy. The home side are winless in their last four home games against their opposition, Lyon.

It is worth noting that the winner of each this fixture in the last ten games between the two sides, has achieved this by either a single goal or in last season’s case a two-goal lead. The last time either side beat each other with a three-goal score line or more was in 2006, where Lyon won 4-1 on that day.

Lyon will more than likely find it difficult against a Lille side who are quite formidable when playing at home. Lille have played 15 games at home this season, winning eleven, drawing three and only losing once. The single home defeat was against Reims.

In their most recent home game, they managed to obtain a 1-0 win over Strasbourg. A single goal from Jonathan David was enough to secure the win for Lille. Their home form is the main reason why they’re competing for a potential European place this season.

Lille have won four out of their last five home game – averaging 2.4 points per game at home in comparison to 1.19 points picked up on their travels. The home side have won 73% of their home games this season and they haven’t failed to score in any of their games when they have had home advantage.

In the attacking areas of the pitch, Lille have averaged 1.93 goals per game and have only conceded 0.53 goals per game on average. Lille have also kept clean sheets in 60% of their home games this season.

Jonathan David, who is constantly linked with speculation of a move elsewhere, has once again delivered for Lille. The Canadian has scored 17 goals this season and averages 0.76 goal contributions per 90 minutes played.

As for the away side, their recent away form could provide some optimism, having won four out of their last five games away from their ground. Lyon have played 15 games away from home this season and have produced an average record overall despite their recently obtained great form.

Lyon’s record from 15 games is seven wins, one draw and seven losses. The away side have averaged 1.47 points per game away from home this season, which is a 0.09 average on their home record.

For this game, we are predicting a 1-0 win for the home side. The recent results between the two sides have more often than not been settled by a one-goal score-line.

Lille 1-0 Lyon