Lille host Lyon on Monday at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, knowing that a single point would be enough to officially claim a spot in the Europa League next season at the very least.
In their previous encounter, Les Dogues came back from a goal down to defeat Metz 2-1, moving up to fourth in Ligue 1, while Les Gones won a back-and-forth contest with Monaco 3-2.
Match preview
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A second successive spot in the Europa League is within touching distance for Lille, as they ended a three-match losing run away from home in all competitions last Sunday.
Paulo Fonseca will be thinking bigger than simply a place in the Europa League or the Champions League qualifiers, though, as his side are just a single point behind Brest for an automatic berth in the Champions League group stage heading into the first weekend in May.
With two of their final three encounters in the top flight this season taking place at home, Lille will fancy their chances of finishing in the top four for the first time since winning this competition in 2020-21.
That is because they are unbeaten in 12 successive league fixtures at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, claiming 36 points at home in this competition, more than any side in Ligue 1.
They have triumphed in four of their previous five Ligue 1 encounters, the joint-best tally over the last five matchdays in this competition, along with Monaco.
Monday will be the 100th meeting between Lille and Lyon in this competition, with Les Dogues suffering just one defeat in their last 14 encounters against them in Ligue 1 and claiming at least a point in each of their previous six domestic contests at home versus Les Gones.
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For the third time in their previous four domestic affairs, Lyon found themselves behind in the early going last Sunday but, to their credit, they were able to fight back and claim a narrow victory.
Throughout 2024, Pierre Sage's men have often emerged victorious in league play, winning nine times, more than any side in the French top flight this year.
Meanwhile, no side have won more games versus teams in the top half of the Ligue 1 table this year than Les Gones, who have four such triumphs, putting them level with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Monaco in that category.
Lyon suffered a 4-1 defeat to league champions PSG in their previous away contest but have not lost consecutive domestic fixtures as the visitors since December 2023.
They currently find themselves five points behind Lens for a place in the Europa Conference League next season with just three matches remaining.
Not since November 2016 have they walked away from Stade Pierre-Mauroy with all three points (1-0), but they have claimed a point in five of their last six visits there in the top flight.
Team News
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Samuel Umtiti is unlikely to see the field for Lille on Monday because of a sore knee, and Andrej Ilic is not expected to return until the middle of the month from a broken foot.
Adam Ounas could be back around that same time from his calf strain, while Benjamin Andre will be a question mark due to a thigh injury.
Ismaily scored eight minutes after Georges Mikautadze had given Metz the lead last weekend, while Yusuf Yazici was the hero, netting the winner late in the opening half.
Nicolas Tagliafico is the only Lyon player doubtful for this upcoming clash as he is dealing with an illness, causing him to miss their thrilling victory versus Monaco.
Sage made two changes to his starting 11 against Les Monegasques, with Clinton Mata and Corentin Tolisso replacing Henrique and Rayan Cherki.
Alexandre Lacazette scored his 16th of the Ligue 1 campaign last Sunday, the third-most in the top-flight this season, one fewer than Lille's Jonathan David, while the other OL strikes came courtesy of Said Benrahma and Malick Fofana.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Santos, Diakite, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Gomes, Bentaleb; Haraldsson, Yazici, Cabella; David
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Mata, O'Brien, Caleta-Car, Maitland-Niles; Caqueret, Matic, Cherki; Nuamah, Lacazette, Benrahma
We say: Lille 2-1 Lyon
Lille have been outstanding at home, and we are trusting that consistency on Monday, while we believe Lyon may suffer a letdown given their emotional victory against Monaco.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
