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

Following back-to-back wins, LOSC find themselves one point inside the top four, while Troyes sit third from bottom having last tasted victory all the way back in January.

Match preview

Troyes handed bottom club Angers only their second league win since September as Patrick Kisnorbo's men suffered a 2-1 defeat at Stade Raymond Kopa last weekend, with Lillian Rao-Lisoa scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute.

In truth, that result tells you everything you need to know about Troyes' disastrous campaign, as the club from the Champagne region have managed to win just four of their 37 league outings this term, recording 11 draws and 22 losses along the way.

It is also worth noting that Troyes have conceded a whopping 80 goals this season, averaging more than two goals against per game, so it is no surprise that Kisnorbo's side possess the joint-worst defensive record in the division.

Believe it or not, ESTAC have failed to win any of their last 20 Ligue 1 matches, taking just five points from a possible 60 since beating Strasbourg back on January 2, with four defeats coming in their previous five outings.

Having won only one of their 18 home league games all season - recording 10 draws and seven losses in the process - Troyes are heading to Ligue 2 with a whimper, as they find themselves 12 points from safety with one match remaining.

At the opposite end of the table, Lille sit one point above fifth-placed Rennes and sixth-placed Monaco, meaning that Paulo Fonseca's men are in pole position to secure Europa League qualification on the final day of the season.

LOSC enter Saturday's clash on the back of a 2-1 victory over Nantes, courtesy of two penalties from top scorer Jonathan David, who has netted 24 goals in 36 league appearances this term, including five in his previous seven.

Les Dogues also claimed an impressive 2-1 win over Marseille last month, with David getting on the scoresheet once again, so Lille have now won four of their previous seven matches, scoring at least two goals in each of those victories.

When you look at the bigger picture, Fonseca's side have suffered only two defeats across their previous 13 Ligue 1 encounters, picking up seven wins and four draws while strengthening their bid for European football.

Although Lille have struggled on the road in recent times - failing to win any of their last four away games while winning one of their previous seven - they will be confident of overcoming a Troyes outfit with the third-worst home record in the league.

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

D

L

L

L

D

L

Lille Ligue 1 form:

D

W

L

D

W

W

Team News

Troyes will finish the season without the injured duo of Renaud Ripart and Florian Tardieu, who have both missed the past few games due to Achilles tendon injuries.

Chelsea academy graduate and Canada international Ike Ugbo is expected to start in attack for the hosts, with Kyliane Dong and Rony Lopes offering attacking support to the lone striker.

Meanwhile, former Manchester City centre-back Erik Palmer-Brown will start alongside Abdu Conte and Jackson Porozo in a three-man backline.

Lille, on the other hand, will be without injured quartet Tiago Djalo (knee), Andre Gomes (leg), Ismaily (muscle) and Edon Zhegrova (muscle) for the final match of the season.

Veteran centre-back Jose Fonte should partner Alexsandro at the heart of LOSC's backline, while Timothy Weah is expected to continue to operate at left-back.

Benjamin Andre will anchor the midfield, enabling Remy Cabella and Jonathan Bamba to join top scorer Jonathan David behind lone striker Mohamed Bayo.

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Lis; Porozo, Palmer-Brown, Conte; Balde, Kouame, Chavalerin, Larouci; Lopes, Dong; Ugbo

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Diakite, Fonte, Alexsandro, Weah; Beleba, Andre; David, Cabella, Bamba; Bayo

We say: Troyes 0-2 Lille

Of course, Troyes will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about on the final day of the campaign, having failed to win any of their previous 20 league matches, but Lille are expected to heap more misery on the relegated outfit while securing Europa League football.

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