Lille and Feyenoord, separated by just one spot in the Champions League standings, are set to face off on Wednesday night in the final matchday of the league phase.
The hosts are 12th with 13 points from seven games, while the visitors are 11th also with 13 points, leaving both still in the hunt for a top eight finish.
Match preview
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Lille have enjoyed a largely positive 2024-25 season, sitting fifth in the Ligue 1 standings and still in contention for a top-eight spot in the Champions League league phase.
However, the Mastiffs head into this one reeling after suffering back-to-back defeats, losses that devastatingly brought an end to their club-record 21 game unbeaten streak.
The first of those defeats, a 2-1 loss to Liverpool, marked their first since a 2-0 loss to Sporting Lisbon on matchday one of the Champions League league phase, with Lille securing four wins and one draw from the other five fixtures.
Those results leave Lille 12th in the league phase table with 13 points, joint-on points with eighth-placed Bayer Leverkusen and three behind third-placed Arsenal, meaning the Mastiffs are still able to secure a top eight spot depending on results elsewhere.
Although Bruno Genesio's side may lack confidence after a 2-1 loss to Strasbourg in their last outing, their second consecutive defeat, the Mastiffs have lost just once at home this term - 3-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in September - a record they will hope to draw strength from heading into this clash.
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Feyenoord are similarly still on the hunt to place inside the top eight of the Champions League, sitting one position above their hosts in 11th and also with 13 points.
Brian Priske, appointed in June 2024, led the side to 15 wins, six draws and only three losses from their first 24 outings across all competitions, but a difficult winter period saw them lose two, draw one and win one in a four-game stretch.
However, Feyenoord emphatically ended that run with a phenomenal 3-0 demolition of Bayern Munich in their last outing, a result that, along with their remarkable 3-3 comeback draw from 3-0 down against Manchester City earlier in the campaign, will provide them with huge confidence heading into this match.
Feyenoord also boast an impressive record on the road this season, losing just one of their 16 away games this term, alongside 10 wins and five draws, while they are yet to be beaten on their travels in Europe.
With the possibility of placing as high as third depending on results across the competition, there is sure to be plenty of drama at the Grand Stade Lille Metropole, and goals are expected in any European match involving Feyenoord, with the Eredivisie powerhouses seeing 32 goals in their seven fixtures - 17 scored and 15 conceded.
Santiago Gimenez has been a major contributor in front of goal for Priske's team, scoring 11 times in his 11 appearances since returning from a thigh injury in late November, as well as four in four Champions League matches, goalscoring form that Feyenoord will be hoping continues on Wednesday.
Team News
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The hosts are set to be without Edon Zhegrova (muscle), Mathias Fernandez-Pardo (ligament), Nabil Bentaleb (heart), Samuel Umtiti (knee) and Tiago Santos (cruciate ligament) due to injuries.
Aissa Mandi is also suspended for this game after being dismissed for two yellow card offences in the defeat against Liverpool, meaning Thomas Meunier could start at right back.
Jonathan David is Lille's top scorer with 18 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions, including seven in 11 Champions League fixtures this term, and the striker will be relied upon to make the difference once again here.
As for Feyenoord, Gjivai Zechiel, In-Beom Hwang, Jordan Lotomba (leg), Quilindschy Hartman (knee), Quinten Timber (knee) and Ramiz Zerrouki are all unlikely to feature due to injuries.
Calvin Stengs and Bart Nieuwkoop both picked up injuries in their 3-0 win against Bayern Munich, but with Feyenoord afforded a week off since that match due to the postponement of their Eredivisie game against Almere City, both may be fit to return after the week's rest.
Gimenez is almost certain to lead the line for the visitors, and the striker is expected to continue his partnership in attack with Igor Paixao and Anis Hadj Moussa.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Ribeiro, Ismaily; Andre, Gomes; Bakker, Haraldsson, Cabella; David
Feyenoord possible starting lineup:
Bijlow; Nieuwkoop; Trauner, Hancko, Smal; Milambo, Beelen, Stengs; Moussa, Gimenez, Paixao
We say: Lille 2-2 Feyenoord
Both teams will be eager to secure all three points as they aim to secure a top eight finish on the final day, setting the stage for a highly competitive encounter between two evenly matched sides, leading us to believe it will end all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
