MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 02:42:44| >> :600:8238902:8238902:
[monks data]
Lorient logo
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 3
Aug 27, 2023 at 4.05pm UK
Stade Yves Allainmat - Le Moustoir
Lille

Lorient
4 - 1
Lille

Abergel (9'), Ponceau (10'), Faivre (62'), Le Goff (67')
Pagis (49'), Doucoure (57')
FT(HT: 2-0)
David (55')
Yoro (15'), Diakite (27'), Andre (51'), Yazici (87')

Preview: Lorient vs. Lille - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Lorient and Lille, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Lorient and Lille will bid to preserve their respective unbeaten records in 2023-24 when they do battle at the Stade du Moustoir on Sunday afternoon.

The hosts head into the third round of Ligue 1 fixtures on the back of successive draws, while the visitors defeated Rijeka in the Europa Conference League playoffs in midweek.


Match preview

FC Lorient's Romain Faivre reacts on May 21, 2023© Reuters

Lorient kicked off their campaign by holding Paris Saint-Germain to a goalless draw at Parc des Princes, despite seeing just 22% possession while failing to register a single attempt on target, with PSG racking up 20 shots.

Once again, Les Merlus were dominated last time out as they struggled to deal with Nice on home soil, but they managed to snatch a point and remain unbeaten thanks to Sirine Doucoure's 77th-minute equaliser.

Not only did Nice enjoy the lion's share of possession last weekend, but they also amassed 21 attempts at the Stade du Moustoir, limiting Lorient to just two shots on target, so Regis Le Bris will be eager for his players to establish a sense of control on Sunday.

The Brittany outfit enjoyed plenty of success on home soil last term, winning nine of their 19 Ligue 1 matches at the Stade du Moustoir, while only four teams conceded fewer home goals than Lorient in 2022-23.

It is also worth remembering that Lorient have won each of their previous two home games against Lille, which should fill Les Merlus with confidence ahead of this weekend's showdown.

Lille coach Paulo Fonseca on February 19, 2023© Reuters

Lille enter Sunday's clash on the back of a 2-1 victory over Croatian club Rijeka in the Europa Conference League playoffs, with Paulo Fonseca's men racking up 79% possession and 19 shots at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Wednesday.

After falling behind midway through the first half, Les Dogues equalised on the stroke of half time through Edon Zhegrova, and the scoreline remained level until Leny Yoro came off the bench to score the winning goal in the 89th minute.

Incidentally, Lille have made a habit of scoring late goals this season, as they required a 94th-minute equaliser from Bafode Diakite to snatch a 1-1 draw against Nice in their opening Ligue 1 match.

Fonseca's men also left it late to claim all three points against Nantes last weekend, with Jonathan David and Adam Ounas scoring in the final 30 minutes to wrap up a 2-0 victory, although the performance was tarnished by Alexsandro's red card.

After winning the Ligue 1 title in 2020-21, Lille finished all the way down in 10th place in 2021-22 before climbing back up to fifth last term, so Les Dogues will be hoping to continue their rise this season.

Lorient Ligue 1 form:
  • D
  • D

Lorient form (all competitions):
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D

Lille Ligue 1 form:
  • D
  • W

Lille form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W


Team News

Lorient's Enzo Le Fee celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on April 30, 2023© Reuters

Lorient have several players sidelined through injury at the moment, with Tosin Aiyegun, Quentin Boisgard, Igor Silva and Ayman Kari all expected to miss the visit of Lille, while Benjamin Mendy also remains sidelined.

Regis Le Bris deployed an attacking 3-4-3 formation against Nice last time out, with Bournemouth loanee Romain Faivre joining Bamba Dieng and Jean-Victor Makengo in the forward line.

At the opposite end of the pitch, Bamo Meite, Julien Laporte and Montassar Talbi look set to continue in defence, while Switzerland international Yvon Mvogo will retain his place between the sticks.

Lille, on the other hand, will be without suspended centre-back Alexsandro following his red card last weekend, so we could see 17-year-old starlet Leny Yoro come into the visitors' backline on Sunday.

In terms of injuries, Samuel Umtiti is still waiting to make his competitive debut for Les Dogues after picking up an injury in pre-season, while Tiago Djalo remains sidelined with a knee issue.

Paulo Fonseca will likely stick with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, meaning that Jonathan David will continue to lead the line, with Angel Gomes and Benjamin Andre expected to operate in the engine room.


Lorient possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Meite, Laporte, Talbi; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Le Goff; Faivre, Dieng, Makengo

Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Santos, Diakite Yoro, Ismaily; Gomes, Andre; Zhegrova, Cabella, Haraldsson; David


SM words green background

We say: Lorient 1-1 Lille

Although Lille remain unbeaten in 2023-24, Fonseca's side have not been overly convincing during the early stages of the season, relying on late goals to get results.

Given that Lorient have recorded a couple of low-scoring draws this term - preventing PSG and Nice from winning - we can see the hosts picking up another point this weekend.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


ID:522122:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10902:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Lorient vs Lille

Lorient
17.4%
Draw
43.5%
Lille
39.1%
23
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring for Paris Saint-Germain on May 27, 2023
Read Next:
PSG 2022-23 season review - star player, best moment, standout result
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Buccaneers
@
Chiefs
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris FCParis FC1282222111126
2Lorient127232314923
3Annecy126422013722
4DunkerqueDunkerque127142118322
5Metz126332012821
6GuingampGuingamp126152016419
7AmiensAmiens126151614219
8Grenoble125251714317
9Laval124351614215
10Bastia113621111015
11Clermont124351213-115
12PauPau124351317-415
13Caen124261416-214
14Red Star124261220-814
15Rodez AFRodez AF123361921-212
16Ajaccio11326813-511
17Troyes12327817-911
18Martigues12228725-188


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!