Preview: Lyon vs Auxerre – prediction, team news, lineups

Last weekend’s assertion victory will present additional confidence for high-three hopefuls Lyonwho’re aiming to report a 3rd consecutive win after they host relegation-threatened Auxerre in Saturday’s conflict at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Les Gones enter this encounter on the again of a 2-1 away win over league leaders Paris Saint-Germaina end result that lifted them to 3rd within the League 1 tablewhereas Les Ajaistes sit within the playoff spot, 5 factors above the underside two and 4 adrift of outright security.

Match preview

The race for European locations is finely poised within the closing levels of the Ligue 1 marketing campaign, with little margin for error as solely three factors separate third from sixth, whereas seventh sits simply 4 additional again.

Back-to-again victories have seen Lyon climb three locations within the league desk, the place they now sit above fourth-positioned Lille as a consequence of a superior head-to-head, one level away from fifth and two above sixth, with 4 video games remaining.

Building on their win towards Lorient, Les Gones secured a formidable triumph at PSG final weekend, due to a quick begin that noticed them race right into a two-aim lead inside 18 minutes via Endrick and Afonso Moreira, leaving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s effort a mere comfort.

Paulo Fonseca will likely be inspired by his facet’s resurgence, having endured a 9-sport winless run — together with six in Ligue 1 — previous to their current upturn, and the Portuguese coach will likely be assured of sustaining that momentum, given his team have gained 10 of their 14 league matches at Parc Olympique Lyonnais this season (D1, L3).

That sturdy report on the floor is underpinned by a resolute protection that has conceded the joint-fewest objectives (10) at residence within the division, and that solidity may show decisive right here, particularly with 4 of Lyon’s final 5 high-flight victories coming alongside clear sheets.

Meanwhile, Auxerre will fancy their possibilities of taking one thing from this fixture, having gone 4 video games unbeaten (W1, D3), most not too long ago enjoying out a 2-2 draw away to Europe-chasing Monaco.

While some extent at Stade Louis II represents a optimistic return, Christophe Pelissier will likely be annoyed that his facet failed to carry on after taking a two-aim lead via Kevin Danois and Lassine Sinayoko, conceding twice in fast succession moments earlier than the hourmark.

That consequence continues a worrying pattern for Les Ajaistes, who’ve now dropped factors from profitable positions in three of their final 4 away matches, leaving them with only one win in 15 league video games on the street this season (D6, L8).

Auxerre have additionally struggled within the last third, with their tally of 25 objectives the joint-fewest within the division, though Auxerre can draw some encouragement from having scored in every of their final six league visits to Lyon, even when their solely victory in that run got here again in 2009.

Meanwhile, this season’s reverse fixture ended goalless, and Les Ajaistes will likely be aiming to keep away from defeat throughout each conferences in a high-flight marketing campaign towards Lyon for the primary time since 2010-11, as they proceed their push for survival.

Lyon Ligue 1 type:

Lyon type (all competitions):

Auxerre Ligue 1 type:

Team News

© Iconsport / Nikola Kristic

Last weekend’s victory over PSG got here at a value for Lyon, who noticed 19-yr-previous midfielder Khalis Merah compelled off within the second half, making him a serious doubt for this encounter.

Remi Himbert stays sidelined with a severe ankle damage, whereas Pavel Sulc and Corentin Tolisso are working their method again from muscle issues, with Ernest Nuamah additionally closing in on a return after a prolonged absence as a consequence of a knee difficulty.

On a optimistic notice, Nicolas Tagliafico is out there once more after serving a 3-match suspension, though it stays to be seen whether or not the Argentine will return straight into the beginning lineup.

Endrick has now contributed on to 4 objectives (G1, A3) throughout his final 4 league appearances, and the on-mortgage ahead will look to keep up that type right here.

Meanwhile, Auxerre’s conflict with Monaco noticed Donovan Leon and Fredrik Oppegard compelled off injured, leaving each gamers uncertain for Saturday.

Lasso Coulibaly can be a priority as a consequence of bodily discomfort, whereas Nathan Buayi-Kiala and Oussama El Azzouzi are set to overlook out once more with knee issues.

Sinayoko has discovered the web twice throughout his final three outings for Auxerre and is anticipated to hold a lot of their attacking menace on Saturday.

Lyon attainable beginning lineup:

Greif; Tagliafico, Mata, Niakhate, Maitland-Niles; Vinicius, Tolisso, Mangala, Morton; Endrick, Moreira

Auxerre attainable beginning lineup:

Percin; Mensah, Diomande, Okoh, Senaya; Danois, Owusu; Casimir, Namaso, Faivre; Sinayoko

We say: Lyon 1-0 Auxerre

Lyon are embroiled in a tightly contested race for European qualification and enter this encounter realizing any slip may see them drop out of the highest three, making most factors important.

Les Gones have been sturdy on residence soil and may have sufficient to edge this contest, though Auxerre’s current resilience suggests that is unlikely to be an easy victory.

For knowledge evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.