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

ESTAC suffered its third defeat in the past four domestic fixtures earlier this week, dropping a 4-1 decision at Toulouse, while OL were held off the scoresheet for a third time this year, drawing 0-0 with Brest.

Match preview

Transitioning to a new boss has not been as seamless as Troyes hoped, with ESTAC winning just one of its six domestic affairs since Patrick Kisnorbo took charge.

They got off to the ideal start on Wednesday, taking the lead after a dozen minutes, but like in their previous match, they could not close the deal, conceding four unanswered goals to Toulouse less than a week after allowing a late equaliser, drawing Lens 1-1.

From the beginning of September until now, Troyes have captured only two of its 16 Ligue 1 matches, with only Auxerre winning fewer games in the top flight over that stretch (one).

That poor form is why they are in relegation danger again this season, currently a point above Ajaccio for 17th, which would equal a trip down into Ligue 2.

They have conceded in all six of their matches this year, with their only clean sheet of the domestic campaign coming at home in a 0-0 draw against Nantes near the end of 2022.

Troyes have scored multiple goals in only one of their last eight domestic encounters, defeating Strasbourg 3-1 at the beginning of 2023.

Another team that have not benefitted much from a new manager is Lyon, who have only claimed 15 points in this competition since Laurent Blanc took over from Peter Bosz in October.

With 29 points after 21 Ligue 1 fixtures this season, it equals their worst total at this stage of a campaign in the 21st century, claiming this exact total in 2015/16, though they wound up finishing second at the end of that season.

Playing three of their four league games on the road this month might be the best thing for them as Lyon are winless in four successive domestic matches at Groupama Stadium, but are unbeaten in four straight away games in all competitions.

They have yet to concede away from home this year, while a third successive clean sheet on the road this weekend would be their longest shutout run in this competition since 2017-18 (three).

Lyon are unbeaten in their last five domestic affairs in which they had scored the opening goal, losing only once all season in that scenario.

Coming into this encounter les Gones have won 10 consecutive top-flight contests versus Troyes and have not lost to them away from home since the 2006/07 campaign (1-0).

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

D

W

L

L

D

L

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

W

L

D

L

W

D

Lyon form (all competitions):

L

D

L

W

W

D

Team News

Mama Balde scored the only goal for Troyes on Wednesday, his ninth of the campaign, while Gauthier Gallon has conceded five times in his last two games since replacing Mateusz Lis between the sticks.

Ike Ugbo was tied with Xavier Chavalerin for the team lead in goals during the 2021-22 league campaign (five), but the Canadian has only found the back of the net once this season, while Chavalerin has scored twice.

Karim Azamoum is not expected back until late February because of an ACL injury and Florian Tardieu will not return this season after tearing his Achilles tendon.

Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes has not conceded in back-to-back contests, posting his fourth and fifth clean sheets of the campaign, while Alexandre Lacazette has four goals in his previous two road matches in all competitions.

Five OL players aged 20 or under have been involved in one or more goals over this campaign, including Johann Lepenant, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Castello Lukeba and Malo Gusto.

Blanc made one change to his starting 11 against Brest in midweek, bringing in Gusto at the back in place of Sael Kumbedi.

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Lis; Conte, Palmer-Brown, Salmier, Bruus; R. Lopes, Chavalerin, Agoume, Kouame; M. Balde, Ugbo

Lyon possible starting lineup:

A. Lopes; Gusto, Diomande, Lovren, Tagliafico; Mendes, Lepenant, Caqueret; Tolisso; Lacazette, Dembele

We say: Troyes 0-2 Lyon

Neither side have been particularly sharp this year, but we are giving the edge to the visitors because of how well they have played away from home, along with the quality Lacazette, who has been one of the most consistent finishers in Ligue 1 this season.

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