Europa Conference League-hunting Lyon take on bottom-half Strasbourg in the final game of the 2023-24 Ligue 1 season at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday evening.
The hosts are seventh in the table and only trail sixth-placed Lens on goal difference, leaving them needing to better Lens' result when they take on the visitors.
Match preview
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Lyon's season has been a tale of two halves, starting the campaign in catastrophic form under the guidance of Laurent Blanc, who took the side to their worst-ever beginning to a Ligue 1 term.
Four points from their opening 10 games left them rock bottom of the table, eventually picking up their first victory of the season on matchday 11 when they narrowly beat Stade Rennes 1-0.
Blanc had already been dismissed from his post after just four fixtures with former player Fabio Grosso taking charge, but the Italian was also sacked at the end of November with Lyon still in 18th place.
Pierre Sage became the third manager to take up the mantle and despite losing his first two games in charge, Lyon have been massively improved under the Frenchman's lead.
They have lost just four times in the following 24 matches, winning on 19 occasions and catapulting up the league table, now finding themselves in the incredible position of potentially playing European football next season.
Lyon have won more Ligue 1 fixtures than any other side in the division since the turn of the year and they come into this one with just one loss in their last 10, coming at the hands of the champions Paris Saint-Germain.
A goal difference of -7 compared to Lens' eight means that it would take a swing of 15 goals for Lyon to finish in sixth place if both sides secure the same result on the final day, leaving Sage's side needing to win and Lens to drop points to qualify for European competition.
A home match against Strasbourg, who have little left to play for as they have secured their safety in the division and can only finish in either 13th or 12th, is set to give Lyon their opportunity.
The visitors have struggled when playing on the road throughout this campaign, amassing just 15 points from their 16 fixtures while also scoring the second-fewest of any side away from home.
Only one win in their previous eight away fixtures, including a defeat to Lyon in the Coupe de France quarter-finals, leaves them as the underdogs heading into this one.
Patrick Vieira's side have endured an inconsistent time throughout this season, but any points on the board against Lyon would see Strasbourg match or better their points tally from the entirety of the 38-game season in 2022-23 (40).
Strasbourg were the victors in their last trip to the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Ligue 1, securing a 2-1 win, but that was their only win at this stadium in any of their last 15 visits in the league.
Team News
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Outside of any fresh injury issues, Lyon will come into this game with a clean bill of health, giving Sage the chance to name his strongest 11 as they fight for Europe.
Alexandre Lacazette has once again led the way for Lyon in the goalscoring department, netting 17 times in 28 appearances, and the Frenchman is expected to start in this one.
The visitors could be without up to eight players for their trip to face Lyon.
Karol Fila, Lebo Mothiba, Angelo and Moise Sahi are all ruled out with injury issues.
Kevin Gameiro, Dilane Bakwa, Junior Mwanga and Jessy Deminguet are all doubtful, with the former pair not taking part in training.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Mata, O'Brien, Caleta-Car, Maitland-Niles; Caqueret, Matic, Tolisso; Nuamah, Lacazette, Benrahma
Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Bellaarouch; Guilbert, Perrin, Sylla; Senaya, Santos, Sissoko, Delaine; Sebas, Emegha, Diarra
We say: Lyon 2-1 Strasbourg
Lyon's phenomenal form since the turn of the year has seen them pick up the most victories of any team in the division, and we expect that to continue with a win against a Strasbourg side who have struggled away from home.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
