Ligue 1 | Gameweek 17

Jan 10, 2025 at 8.05pm UK

Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps

Auxerre vs Lille

Match preview

Newly promoted Auxerre made a mockery of the pre-season predictions that they would struggle to stay up with a fantastic start to the campaign, but results have fallen off a cliff since December.

After winning their last three games in November, including an away win over Marseille, Christophe Pelissier's men have failed to reach the same heights since losing to Toulouse on 1 December.

Auxerre have taken just two points from four games since December and were knocked out of the Coupe de France at home to Ligue 2 side Dunkerque.

The new year also got off to a poor start as Pelissier's side led against Strasbourg before collapsing in the second half to lose 3-1 and drop to ninth, as close to the bottom three as they are to the top six.

Auxerre have not qualified for Europe in 15 years, and while it looked a real possibility just a month ago, those dreams are fading fast.

They will be hoping their excellent home form this season can help them dig themselves out of a hole this weekend, as only Paris Saint-Germain and Nice have more points at home than Auxerre's 17.

Next up are Lille, who are one result away from making club history after a 1-1 draw with Nantes last weekend extended their unbeaten run to an astonishing 18 matches.

Lille's club record is 19 matches unbeaten, dating back over four decades, and it would be heartbreaking for them to fall just short of that record, as well as potentially damaging their top-four hopes.

Bruno Genesio's men have seemingly sat in fourth place all season, holding off the pressure of Nice and Lyon below them, but not doing enough to catch Marseille and Monaco above them.

Twelve of their 18-match unbeaten run has come in Ligue 1, but Les Dogues have won just five of those, with too many draws restricting their progress in a very crowded table.

While Auxerre are excellent at home, Lille love a Friday night game and have had plenty of them this season due to their Champions League commitments, losing just one of their last 12 under lights.

The schedule should work in their favour, and Genesio's side will need it with a January schedule that includes Marseille away in the Coupe, Nice in the league and Liverpool and Feyenoord in the Champions League.

Recent Performance

Auxerre Ligue 1 form:WWLDDL

Auxerre form (all competitions):WLDDLL

Lille Ligue 1 form:DWDWDD

Lille form (all competitions):DWWDWD

Team News

Auxerre will have Madagascar midfielder Rayan Raveloson back from suspension after missing last weekend's defeat at Strasbourg, but will be without Gabriel Osho and Kevin Danois through injury.

Donovan Leon was also absent in goal last week and in the defeat to Dunkirk, and the stopper will be sorely missed considering he has made an incredible 84 saves in just 17 appearances for club and country this season.

Elsewhere on the injury list, Ange Loic N'Gatta remains sidelined for the time being, while Lasso Coulibaly has been ruled out for the season with a torn ACL.

The same injury has also ruled out Lille's Tiago Santos for the next few months, while Samuel Umtiti remains sidelined with a knee injury of his own.

Edon Zhegrova is the main absentee for the visitors as the Kosovan winger continues to struggle with a groin injury, and he was joined on the treatment table by Mathias Fernandez-Pardo, who was forced off inside 10 minutes last week.

In better news, Angel Gomes returned from a recent setback as an unused substitute last weekend and the England international will be hoping to get some minutes this time around.

Possible starting lineup

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

De Percin; Diomande, Jubal, Akpa; Hoever, Owusu, Raveloson, Mensah; Perrin, Sinayoko, Traore

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Andre, Andre Gomes, Mukau; Haraldsson, David, Cabella