Preview: Lille vs. Reims - prediction, team news, lineups

Paulo Fonseca's men ran out 2-0 winners over Clermont last time out, while the visitors did the business in an eye-catching 3-1 victory over Rennes.

Match preview

Returning to haunt the club where he made his name in the French top flight, Lille striker Mohamed Bayo kept his celebrations to a minimum after scoring the second and final goal of his side's straightforward win over Clermont at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied on Wednesday.

Former Manchester United youth product Angel Gomes won and converted a 68th-minute penalty to put Lille into the ascendancy before Bayo fired home in the dying embers following a quick counter-attack, and Les Dogues continue to gather momentum in their European charge.

Showing no signs of easing off after winning four of their five mid-season friendlies during the World Cup, Fonseca's team have stormed to sixth place in the table - one point behind Monaco in the final European spot and four worse off than Marseille in the Champions League places.

Facing Troyes in Coupe de France and Ligue 1 action either side of a trip to Brest is certainly an ideal way for Lille to kick off the New Year, and Reims can expect little joy against one of the most in-form French teams on their own patch.

Indeed, Fonseca has led Lille to 13 points from the last 15 on offer at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, and the hosts are also enjoying a 12-game scoring streak at home since being shut out by Bordeaux on April 2, but the visitors possess a certain Arsenal loanee with the Midas touch in full flow.

The Rouges et Blancs faithful were treated to a volley-off between Folarin Balogun and Alexis Flips in Thursday's contest with Rennes, with both men firing home with aplomb in the first half before Arthur Theate made things interesting just before the break.

However, with six minutes left to go, an attempted clearance from Rennes goalkeeper Steve Mandanda cannoned off Warmed Omari, ballooned up into the air and fell kindly for Balogun to put a touch of gloss on the scoreline with his 10th goal of the season.

While the England Under-21 international is deservedly grabbing the headlines - only Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have scored more in Ligue 1 this season - the work of 30-year-old William Still is not going unnoticed either, as the managerial novice remains unbeaten six games into his career in the dugout.

Posting three wins and three draws since taking over from Oscar Garcia, Still has helped Reims break into the top half of the table at the end of the calendar year, currently sitting in 10th place and comfortably seven points clear of the relegation zone.

On a more negative note, Reims' away-day deficiencies are still bedevilling them - they have failed to win on rival turf since August and have drawn each of their last four on the road - and Lille have not suffered defeat in any of their last five home contests with Monday's visitors.

Lille Ligue 1 form:

W

W

L

D

W

W

Reims Ligue 1 form:

D

W

D

W

D

W

Team News

Eighteen-year-old Lille midfielder Carlos Baleba remains out due to suspension after seeing red against Angers just before the World Cup break, while Gabriel Gudmundsson and Leny Yoro are struggling with groin and foot problems respectively.

Adam Ounas will hope to fight off a bout of flu in time to make the squad, but Fonseca did not sustain any fresh concerns against Clermont and should stick with a largely similar 3-4-2-1 setup here.

Canadian World Cup representative Jonathan David was only named on the bench last time out amid uncertainty surrounding his future, but the 22-year-old came on to set up Bayo's goal and should now demote Alan Virginius to the bench.

Meanwhile, Reims were unable to call upon Nathanael Mbuku, Jens Cajuste or Martin Adeline for their success over Rennes, and the quick turnaround makes it difficult to envisage the trio returning here.

Les Rouges et Blancs came through Thursday's game unscathed, though, and Still should keep faith with the same starting XI unless jellied legs force him into any unwanted alterations.

There was brief speculation that Arsenal could recall Balogun in January to cover for the injured Gabriel Jesus, but the 21-year-old - who is now the leading Under-21 goalscorer in Europe's top five leagues - is expected to see out the season with Reims and will lead the line here.

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Fonte, Diakite, Djalo; Zhegrova, Andre Gomes, Andre, Ismaily; Cabella, Angel Gomes; David

Reims possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Foket, Abdelhamid, Agbadou, De Smet; Munetsi, Matusiwa; Ito, Flips, Zeneli; Balogun

We say: Lille 2-1 Reims

While Still can bask in rightful adulation after his fast start to life with Reims, picking up a win away from home is a box that he has left unticked, and Lille need no second invitation to turn up the heat at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

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