Preview: Lorient vs. Troyes - prediction, team news, lineups

Both sides are safe in France's top flight heading into the final matchday, with Lorient in 17th, four points clear of 18th-placed Metz, while Troyes occupy 15th position in the table.

Match preview

Lorient have found it difficult for long spells of the 2021-22 campaign, but they have secured another season in France's top flight, with a total of 35 points leaving them in 17th, four points ahead of 18th-placed Metz.

Le FCL have won eight, drawn 11 and lost 18 of their 37 league games this term, and they will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with basement side Bordeaux last weekend.

Lorient have only picked up one point from their last four matches in France's top flight, though, with their last success coming at home to Metz on April 20.

Christophe Pelissier's side have been relatively strong in front of their own supporters this season, picking up 23 points from 18 matches, and they will be taking on a Troyes outfit that have found it difficult on their travels, collecting just 15 points from 18 games.

Lorient have won three of their last four Ligue 1 games against Troyes, but they suffered a 2-0 defeat in the reverse match between the two sides earlier this season.

Troyes, meanwhile, were promoted back to his level as Ligue 2 champions last season, and they have managed to secure another campaign in France's top flight.

Indeed, a record of nine wins, 10 draws and 18 defeats from 37 matches has brought the promoted outfit 37 points and left them in 15th spot in the table, six points clear of 18th-placed Metz.

Troyes could finish above Angers in 14th, but they could also drop to 17th depending on other results this weekend, so there is certainly room for movement.

Bruno Irles's side have picked up a respectable four points from their last three league games, including a 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain on May 8, but they will enter this match off the back of a 3-1 home defeat to Lens last weekend.

ESTAC will be bidding to make it a league double over Lorient this season, and they managed to win twice at Stade du Moustoir in Ligue 2 back in 2019.

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Lorient will again be without the services of Stephane Diarra due to a thigh problem, but the home side have no fresh injury concerns ahead of their contest with Troyes.

Head coach Pelissier is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack, and it could ultimately be the same XI that took to the field for the goalless draw with Bordeaux last time out.

Terem Moffi, who has scored eight league goals this season, will again operate in the final third of the field, while Armand Lauriente should retain his spot in a wide area.

As for Troyes, Youssouf Kone, Suk Hyun-Jun and Karim Azamoum will be unavailable for the team's final match of the campaign through injury.

There is expected to be changes from the side that started against Lens last time out, with Ike Ugbo and Yasser Larouci both pushing for starting roles.

Lebo Mothiba is also an option to come into the side, but Renaud Ripart should retain his spot in the side, while Erik Palmer-Brown is likely to feature at the back once again.

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Dreyer; Mendes, Laporte, Morel, Le Goff; Le Fee, Lemoine, Abergel; Ouattara, Moffi, Lauriente

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Gallon; Kabore, Biancone, Palmer-Brown, Salire, Larouci; Ripart, Kouame, Tardieu, Chavalerin; Ugbo

We say: Lorient 1-1 Troyes

There is not an awful lot between these two teams in terms of quality, and there is no real pressure on either side heading into this match. It would not be a surprise to see a home or away win, but we believe that the two teams will play out a low-scoring draw on Saturday night.

Previews by email