Ligue 1 | Gameweek 28

Apr 5, 2025 at 8.05pm UK

Parc Olympique Lyonnais

Lyon vs Lille

Match preview

Despite coach Paulo Fonseca serving a hefty ban for his behaviour towards a referee last month, Lyon had been progressing well and maintaining their challenge for a top-four finish.

However, with so many clubs in such close contention, a single defeat can be costly, and that is exactly what OL suffered last weekend as they lost 4-2 at in-form Strasbourg, who leapfrogged them in the table.

It is hard to be critical, though, because after losing the Coupe de France to amateur opposition, Lyon's only defeats since mid-January have come against Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg - three of the league's best teams so far in 2025.

Fonseca's side dropped to seventh after last weekend's defeat, but they are still just two points adrift of fourth place and four points off the automatic Champions League places.

Lyon have won seven of their last nine matches, but face a tricky test in midweek when they host Manchester United at the Groupama.

The hosts will be confident, however, having lost just one of their last 12 games at the Groupama, against PSG, while only the top two have scored more goals at home than Lyon's 28.

Lille are often unwelcome visitors, however, as Les Dogues have won six of their last eight trips to Lyon and the hosts have won just 13 of their 48 Ligue 1 encounters with Lille in the 21st century - their lowest record against any club.

OL also failed to win the reverse fixture, but they would have been happy with the result as Malick Fofana's stoppage-time equaliser earned them a point.

Lille, however, were able to hold out against Lens in a tight encounter last weekend thanks to Mathias Fernandez-Pardo's early strike.

That should help Bruno Genesio's side to recover from a disappointing start to March, which saw them knocked out of the Champions League and a shock defeat at Nantes, with Les Dogues now only outside the top four on goal difference.

The fixture list looks promising for Lille too, with only one of their final six games after this weekend against a team currently in the top seven, but their form away from home has been poor, particularly against clubs up and down the table.

LOSC have lost four of their last six away from home, a run that followed an 11-match unbeaten run away from home, with many draws turning into defeats.

Recent Performance

Lyon Ligue 1 form:WLWWWL

Lyon form (all competitions):WWWWWL

Lille Ligue 1 form:WWLWLW

Lille form (all competitions):LDWLLW

Team News

With Ligue 1 failing to secure one of the two extra Champions League places, only the top seven will qualify for next season's continental showpiece, assuming Paris Saint-Germain win the Coupe de France.

Brest currently sit eighth, five points behind Lyon with just seven games remaining, so Eric Roy's men have a tough task ahead of them.

That is despite a recent run of good form that has kept their hopes alive, especially after last week's entertaining 4-2 win at Toulouse, which saw them take seven points from their last three games.

The win lifted Brest above Lens in the table, but if they are to challenge Lyon and the rest of the top seven, they will need to improve dramatically at home in the final few games of the season.

Roy's side have won just one of their last seven games at the Stade Francis-Le Ble, a somewhat surprising dip in form after winning five in a row on home soil.

Possible starting lineup

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lucas Perri; Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Veretout; Nuamah, Cherki, Almada; Mikautadze

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Andre, Andre Gomes, Mukau; Fernandez-Pardo, David, Haraldsson