MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 02:09:37| >> :600:172062:172062:
[monks data]
Lyon
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 10
Oct 7, 2022 at 8pm UK
Stade de Gerland
Toulouse

Lyon
1 - 1
Toulouse

Tete (2')
Toko Ekambi (88'), Cherki (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Ratao (67')
Dallinga (4'), Aboukhlal (30')

Preview: Lyon vs. Toulouse - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Ligue 1 clash between Lyon and Toulouse, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Lyon will desperately aim to snap a four-game losing streak in Ligue 1 when they tackle Toulouse at the Groupama Stadium on Friday night.

Les Gones lost 1-0 to Lens in their most recent encounter, while the visitors came out on the correct end of a 4-2 scoreline in the Occitanie derby with Montpellier HSC.


Match preview

Lyon coach Peter Bosz on April 7, 2022© Reuters

"No". A short, sharp response given by Lyon head coach Peter Bosz when asked if he was fearing for his job in the hotseat after last weekend's 1-0 loss to Lens, which stretched Les Gones' miserable run of defeats in the top flight to four matches.

Thiago Mendes's handball allowed Florian Sotoca the chance to smash home the game-winning penalty past Anthony Lopes in the 82nd minute, adding another blot on Bosz's notebook following previous losses to Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and Lorient.

Bosz has faced uncertainty over his job at Lyon ever since he took control of the reins last year, and while such talk quietened with Les Gones' stellar start to the new campaign, the Dutchman's men have now slipped to seventh in the table amid their poor run.

From taking 13 of their first 15 points on offer to suffering four consecutive defeats, Lyon have not been helped by injuries in the past few weeks, but they remain just four points adrift of a potential European berth thanks to their strong opening results.

A return to home comforts should also be beneficial to Lyon, who had won seven Ligue 1 games in a row at the Groupama Stadium before going down 1-0 to champions PSG, and their tally of 13 home goals is the highest in the division.

Toulouse manager Philippe Montanier pictured in 2017© Reuters

As has been the case with a plethora of Ligue 1 matches in recent memory, Toulouse and Montpellier's derby was overshadowed by incidences of crowd disruption, with no fewer than 15 Paillade fans reportedly arrested by the authorities after a 15-minute in-game delay.

Once police had quelled the situation in the away end, Toulouse focused on their on-field exploits to run out 4-2 winners over their Occitanie rivals, as Stijn Spierings, Brecht Dejaegere, Fares Chaibi and Zakaria Aboukhlal all made the net ripple for Philippe Montanier's men.

Toulouse were forced to see out the final half hour with 10 men after Mikkel Desler saw red for two bookable offences, but a ruthless streak in the final third propelled the newly-promoted side to their second win in three top-flight matches.

Life back in Ligue 1 has hardly been a cakewalk for Montanier's side, but a tally of 11 points from their opening nine games is currently good enough for 12th position in the table - four points clear of the relegation zone as they seek to avoid an immediate demotion back down to Ligue 2.

On the flip side, Toulouse travel to Lyon having suffered five defeats from six league games away from home since May - including each of their last three in Ligue 1 - and the visitors have also lost 11 of their last 12 meetings with Lyon in all tournaments since a 2-1 win in August 2014.

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:


Team News

Lyon's Moussa Dembele celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on March 17, 2022© Reuters

Lyon boss Bosz was grateful to see no more players pick up fresh injury concerns in the loss to Lens, where Castello Lukeba, Romain Faivre, Moussa Dembele, Malo Gusto, Corentin Tolisso and Julian Pollersbeck were all absent.

Dembele and Tolisso had trained individually before the defeat to Franck Haise's side and could therefore push for inclusion on Friday, while Jerome Boateng was fit enough for a place on the bench and may now be considered for a start over Mendes.

Rayan Cherki struggled to make an impact in the final third last time out and could now cede his spot to the returning Houssem Aouar, while Tete, Alexandre Lacazette and Karl Toko Ekambi should form an unchanged front three.

Meanwhile, Toulouse right-back Desler will serve his suspension on Friday after seeing red against Montpellier, so either Moussa Diarra or 18-year-old Kevin Keben could deputise at the back this week.

Montanier's side otherwise came through the Occitanie derby unscathed and should only be without Rafael Ratao and Rhys Healey through injury, with the latter out for several months with an ACL issue.

Ratao is expected to return from his thigh problem imminently and could even force his way into contention this weekend, but Montanier should stick with Aboukhlal and Chaibi to provide the wide threat for now.

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Henrique, Boateng, Diomande, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Lepenant, Aouar; Tete, Lacazette, Toko Ekambi

Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Dupe; Diarra, Rouault, Nicolaisen, Sylla; Dejaegere, Spierings, Van den Boomen; Chaibi, Dallinga, Aboukhlal


SM words green background

We say: Lyon 2-1 Toulouse

Even with the Groupama faithful behind them, backing a depleted Lyon side to get the job done with any real confidence is a difficult ask, although it is important to note that all four of their recent losses have come against teams higher than them in the table.

Toulouse may be buoyed by their recent derby success, but keeping things tight at the back away from home has been a sticky point for Les Violets - who will be without their only recognised right-back - and we still have faith in Bosz's side to return to winning ways here.

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:496179:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12782:

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: Lyon vs Toulouse

Lyon
84.3%
Draw
8.7%
Toulouse
7.0%
172
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale celebrates on August 27, 2022
Read Next:
FIFA 23 ratings revealed: Ramsdale, Spence given major upgrades
>
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 Saint-GermainPSG108202982126
2Marseille1062223121120
3MonacoMonaco10622157820
4Lille10532169718
5Nice104421991016
6Lyon104331715215
7Lens1035297214
8Reims104241615114
9StrasbourgStrasbourg103431919013
10Auxerre104151718-113
11Brest104151316-313
12Toulouse103341111012
13Rennes103251316-311
14NantesNantes102441214-210
15Angers102441116-510
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne103161024-1410
17Le HavreLe Havre10307820-129
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier10118830-224


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!