Reims vs Lyon prediction 01.10.2023

• Competition: Ligue 1
• Date: Sunday, 1st October 2023
• Kickoff: 12:00 UTC +1 / 13:00 CEST
• Venue: Stade Auguste-Delaune (Reims)

Since returning to the French top-flight division in 2018/19, Reims were one of the more stable teams without a real danger of getting relegated. Last year, The Red and Whites looked like they could get involved in a battle for Europe around ten rounds before the end of the season. Still, due to a poor finish, they ended up 11th. This year started very well for the team from Northeast France, as they are currently in 5th place with 10 points after six rounds - only three points from the league's leader, Brest. 

From the superdominant team in France from the beginning of the century, Lyon are not even remotely as good. We can see a steady decline for them, even missing Europe last season. But that is hardly a surprise, considering they missed Europe three times over the previous four seasons. This year, they had an abysmal start, currently sitting in 17th place with only two points. 

Reims vs Lyon pick: Reims to win

Reims have been very good this season, winning three of six games so far. In the last game, they even won on the road vs Lille, which are probably among the better teams in France. One of the reasons for Reims' very good start to the season has been their ability to score from set pieces. So far, they have scored five goals from attacking set pieces - the most in Ligue 1. 

Lyon have had a disastrous season so far. The only team with fewer points than them are Clermont (one point), but momentarily, Lyon are the worst offensive team in the league, with only three goals. Last year, Alexandre Lacazzette kept them reasonably high on the league table by playing an incredible season and scoring 27 goals in 35 games. But now, when he is not playing well, they are terrible. Also, the second and the third top goalscorer from last season, Tete and Bradley Barcola left the team, and the players they added are clearly not good enough for this level of competition. 

A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable to consider Reims to be the favorite vs Lyon, even at Stade Auguste-Delaune. However, at this point, Reims looks a lot better, and we expect them to walk away with all three points.