Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
EL Salvador
Indonesia
Lithuania
Montenegro
North Macedonia
South Africa
United Arab Emirates

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

sportsmole.co.uk, 6 October 2023, 12:08
Bottom-of-the-table Lyon host Lorient at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday in the eighth round of Ligue 1.

The hosts are on a two-game losing run in the competition, while the away side have not won a game since defeating Lille in the third gameweek.

Match preview

Another disappointing result for Lyon last weekend (2-0 loss at Reims) saw Fabio Grosso's side remain bottom in the table after seven gameweeks.

Les Gones have claimed two points from an available 21, failing to secure maximum points since August, thus leading to the departure of Laurent Blanc.

Grosso has to change the fortunes of a side that have netted only three goals in seven matches and have conceded 13 times.

The seven-time winners of Ligue 1 have failed to find the back of the net since the Italian took charge — 0-0 against Le Havre and suffering 1-0 and 2-0 losses to Brest and Reims, respectively — and must find goals from somewhere to rise in the standings.

The underlying numbers show that Lyon should have netted more goals — they have had nine big chances and expected goals (xG) of 7.0 — but whether their luck turns this weekend remains to be seen.

Lorient ideally should relish the opportunity of inflicting more misery on Lyon, but the away side's form heading into Sunday's game is equally discouraging.

Regis Le Bris' side have been beaten in their last two, with three defeats in four matching the home side's results.

Les Merlus' goalscoring record is not as awful as Lyon's — the away side's 10 goals outdoes Les Gones' three — giving Le Bris much-needed confidence before Sunday's encounter.

However, only one point has been secured on their travels, a creditable draw with Ligue 1 favourites Paris Saint-Germain on August 12, instantly lessening Lorient's excitement.

Sunday's game could go either way, but preventing Lyon from closing the four-point gap in the table could motivate the away side.

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

L

D

L

D

L

L

Lorient Ligue 1 form:

D

W

L

D

L

L

Advert - content below:

Team News

Dejan Lovren is out with a thigh injury, while Paul Akouokou and Mama Balde could miss Sunday's game — the latter are touch-and-go.

However, Alexandre Lacazette should return to the side after missing out last week.

Lorient have several injury worries for Sunday's game, with Bonke Innocent, Formose Mendy, Quentin Boisgard and Ayman Kari doubtful for the club's Lyon visit.

Tiemoue Bakayoko and Aiyegun Tosin are unlikely to feature, even if they could return this month.

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Kumbedi, Mata, Diomade, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Tolisso; Nuamah, Cherki, Moreira; Lacazette

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Mvogo; Talbi, Laporte, Toure; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Goff; Faivre, Kroupi, Bris

We say: Lyon 1-1 Lorient

Neither Lyon nor Lorient are pulling up trees in the league, and a point could be in the offing for both sides on Sunday.

Previews by email
Show more

Top News

1 March 2025 talksport.com Wilfried Zaha has wasted no time adjusting to life in MLS with Charlotte FC. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk In a clash that could impact the race for European football and the relegation battle in the Turkish Super Lig, Istanbul Basaksehir are set to host Sivasspor at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Al Nassr cult hero Anderson Talisca has got involved in his old side's affairs, leading to suggestions he was targeting Cristiano Ronaldo. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City's teenage starlet Nico O'Reilly was at the double as the Sky Blues secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals courtesy of a 3-1 comeback win over a spirited Plymouth Argyle side at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid's La Liga title hopes suffered a setback in Seville on Saturday evening, with the reigning champions suffering a 2-1 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini's Real Betis outfit. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid have reportedly joined the race for Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez, with Los Blancos preparing to battle a number of clubs for his signature during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Goztepe SK will look to end their four-game winless league run when they welcome Samsunspor to the Gursel Aksel Stadium on Monday. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha left his side a man down and out of the FA Cup with a bizarre last minute red card. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United attacker Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United reportedly view Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery as a potential replacement for Ruben Amorim, should the club decide to make another change in the dug-out at the end of the campaign. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Millwall supporters are set to be investigated by the Football Association for homophobic chants aimed at Ben Chilwell. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made 11 changes to his starting lineup for this evening's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Plymouth Argyle at the Etihad Stadium. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The reigning FA Cup holders take on a team who have never won the tournament in Sunday's fifth-round contest, as Manchester United welcome Fulham to their Old Trafford home. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has apparently turned down Los Blancos' first offer of a new contract amid interest from 'several teams' in the burgeoning centre-back. 1 March 2025 talksport.com A new rule is set to be introduced next season to combat time-wasting from goalkeepers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Following their cup success in midweek, Sporting Lisbon will aim to build on that momentum when they return to Primeira Liga action on Monday for round 24, welcoming Estoril Praia to Estadio Jose Alvalade. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona will continue their La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Real Sociedad on Sunday afternoon. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Bayern Munich director of sport Max Eberl has warned Joshua Kimmich that no player is above the club as the Arsenal-linked midfielder reportedly hesitates over a new contract. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Despite an initially promising start in coaching, John Terry is now set to switch careers. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal are reportedly prepared to rival AC Milan for Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jose Mourinho's four-match ban has been halved and his £35,000 fine reduced after a successful appeal. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have reportedly not ruled out the prospect of making an effort to sign Chelsea defender Levi Colwill this summer. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Konyaspor will be looking to inject some much-needed momentum into their survival fight in the Turkish Super Lig when they host Trabzonspor at Torku Arena on Monday. 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides looking to bounce back from recent defeats in the Turkish Super Lig go head-to-head on Monday as Gaziantep host Eyupspor at the Gaziantep Stadium 1 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk AC Milan are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro this summer. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Burnley players refused to shake the hand of Preston's Milutin Osmajic, who was accused of racism by Clarets star Hannibal Mejbri just two weeks ago. 1 March 2025 talksport.com Jean-Philippe Mateta was rushed to hospital after a shocking challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend. 1 March 2025 talksport.com talkSPORT has you covered for all the latest news as the FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend.