Lille play host to Clermont on Sunday afternoon looking to strengthen their bid to secure European qualification for next season.
At a time when Lille sit in fifth place in the Ligue 1 standings, Clermont are second from bottom, albeit just one point adrift of safety.
Match preview
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Lille have an under-rated record in French football right now, losing just one of their most recent 20 matches in all competitions.
However, draws are continuing to cost Paulo Fonseca's side, who have posted eight draws in their 19 league fixtures during 2023-24.
The most recent of those came last time out, Lille failing to break down Montpellier HSC's defence away from home to have to settle for a stalemate.
With just one Ligue 1 triumph in five outings, Lille are now at risk of being overtaken by a resurgent Reims and Marseille; they are now also just three points ahead of eighth place.
A trip to Paris Saint-Germain is on the horizon for February 10, heaping the pressure on Fonseca's side to deliver in a home fixture against a relegation candidate.
Clermont head into this encounter with by far and away the worst attacking record in the division, scoring just 14 times in 19 fixtures.
Nevertheless, for the first time since November, Clermont have put together a two-match undefeated run in Ligue 1, collecting four points against Nantes and Strasbourg.
A late 2-1 win away at the former was follow by a 1-1 draw at home to an improving Strasbourg side, breathing new life into Clermont's campaign despite also losing to Strasbourg in the Coupe de France.
The reverse fixture between these two sides took place as recently as December 10, Pascal Gastien's side holding Lille to a goalless draw.
Team News
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Ayyoub Bouaddi will be absent from the Lille XI after being sent off for two yellow cards against Montpellier last time out.
Nabil Bentaleb appears most likely to come into the starting lineup in what may prove to be the only change.
There will also likely be minimal alterations to the Clermont team on the back of their morale-boosting draw against Strasbourg.
Chrislain Matsima has made the loan switch from Monaco, but the defender is only expected to be named among the replacements at best.
The same can be said for youngster Jeremy Jacquet, the 18-year-old having also signed on loan from Rennes.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Santos, Yoro, Ribeiro, Ismaily; Andre, Bentaleb; Zhegrova, Gomes, Gudmundsson; David
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Ndiaye; Pelmard, Ogier, Caufriez; Zeffane, Magnin, Gastien, Borges; Boutobba, Rashani; Nicholson
We say: Lille 2-0 Clermont
Having put together a two-game unbeaten run, Clermont are taking confidence into their trip to Stade Pierre-Mauroy. However, we can only back the home side to come out on top, perhaps through a goal in each half.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
