Lille vs Lyon prediction 10.03.2023

• Competition: Ligue 1
• Date: Friday, 10th March 2023
• Kickoff: 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
• Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Villeneuve d'Ascq)

After winning their fourth French title in the club's history in the 2020/2021 season, Lille have been nowhere as good. After winning the title, they finished 10th and missed the European competitions for this season. In the current season, they are in 6th place, with one point away from the Europa Conference League qualifications and six points away from 3rd place (which leads to the Champions League qualifications).

In the last match, they drew 1:1 with Lens and missed an opportunity to close the gap between them and the direct opponent for the top 5 spots in the league. 

The offense was never a problem for this team, especially at home, where they scored at least one goal in 14 of 15 games this season. Defensively, they weren't as good, and in the last three games, they allowed six goals. 

Lyon's results slowly deteriorated after winning seven titles in a row in the early 2000s. In the last season, they finished 8th, the worst record since the 1996/97 season. This season is not looking any better at the moment. Lyon occupies 10th place in Ligue 1, seven points away from the 5th-placed Rennes and six points behind the next opponent, Lille. 

In the first part of the season, Lyon have had one of the worst road records in the league, losing five of their seven matches. Since the winter break, they improved enormously on the road. They have won five in seven road matches in all competitions since the break. They only failed to score once in those seven road games.

One of the season's best moments happened about a month ago in the Cup 1/8 finals, where they eliminated Lille after trailing 2:0 after 21 minutes. Lyon also won the next game in the Cup and qualified for the semifinals, where they will play against Nantes. With Annecy and Toulouse meeting in the other semifinals, Lyon are unexpected favorites to win the Cup. 

Lille vs Lyon pick: Both teams to score

Lille have been very good at home this season, especially offensively. They have scored 25 goals in 13 Liga 1 matches, almost two goals per game. In 15 home games this season, both in the league and the Cup, they failed to score only once. For this match, Lilles coach, Paulo Fonseca, will miss three key players in their defensive line.

Lyon are in good form, with only one loss in the last ten matches. They improved on the road and have scored at least one goal in the previous five road matches. Just like Lille, Lyon will also miss some key players in the back due to injuries, including their starting goalkeeper, Antony Lopes.