Lille can end a three-match winless run domestically when they host Lorient at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the first Ligue 1 fixture for both sides in 2024.
Despite losing their final domestic affair last year, 2-1 to Strasbourg, Les Dogues are still holding down the final place in Europe next season, while Les Merlus are in the final relegation position after suffering a 4-0 defeat versus Brest at the end of 2023.
Match preview
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While 2023 did not end well for Lille, they began 2024 with a bang, clobbering a helpless Golden Lions team 12-0 in their opening Coupe de France fixture.
Paulo Fonseca's men have plenty of firepower to produce lopsided results like that, though they have not shown as much quality against top-flight sides this season, scoring just two goals in their previous three domestic contests.
Their defeat to Strasbourg near the end of 2023 was the first for them in this competition since late September (2-1 versus Reims).
Entering this encounter, Lille are unbeaten in their last eight home matches in all competitions, outscoring their previous four opponents at Stade Pierre-Mauroy by a combined margin of 18-1.
They find themselves just a point above Marseille for a place in the Europa League next season, though they are not too far off a 2024-25 Champions League qualifying spot, three points adrift of Brest heading into matchday 18.
Les Nordistes have won seven of their last eight top-flight encounters versus Lorient, scoring three or more goals in their previous three domestic home triumphs against them.
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Lorient picked up 2024 where they left off the previous year, exiting the Coupe de France last Saturday with a 2-1 defeat versus Sochaux, extending their losing run to four matches in all competitions.
After finishing a respectable 10th place in Ligue 1 last season, Regis Le Bris has not come close to replicating that success over this campaign, accumulating 12 points after 17 league contests, 17 fewer than they had at this stage a season ago.
They have yet to emerge victorious from a Ligue 1 fixture away from home this season, failing to find the back of the net in five domestic contests as the visitors.
Half of their 12 points gained thus far have occurred against sides currently in a top-five position, including a 4-1 victory at home to Lille in late August.
Their defensive shape may be the biggest flaw holding them back this season, with Lorient conceding three or more goals in seven league contests.
Les Merlus began 2023 with an away victory over Angers last season (2-1) but have only triumphed in one of their last 18 top-flight affairs outside Lorient, stunning the eventual league champions Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 last April.
Team News
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On Sunday, Lille will be without two players due to the commencement of the Africa Cup of Nations, with Nabil Bentaleb and Adam Ounas representing Algeria.
Tiago Djalo is dealing with an ACL injury, Bafode Diakite has a sore shoulder and Ivan Cavaleiro will not be available because of a groin strain.
In their decisive Coupe de France triumph last week, Jonathan David and Edon Zhegrova both picked up hat-tricks, Yusuf Yazici and Hakon Arnar Haraldsson each notched a brace, Amine Messoussa and Tiago Santos both scored once and Lucas Chevalier collected a clean sheet without a single shot to stop.
There will be seven Lorient players absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations, including Alfred Gomis (Senegal), Bamba Dieng (Senegal), Formose Mendy (Senegal), Sirine Doucoure (Mali), Montassar Talbi (Tunisia), Gedeon Kalulu (Congo) and Darlin Yongwa (Cameroon).
Midfielder Quentin Boisgard, meanwhile, will not be available for this team until late January at the earliest because of a foot injury.
Aurelien Pelon put Les Merlus ahead in their Coupe de France fixture versus Sochaux, but it was not enough as Alex Daho levelled the match at one on 69 minutes before a foul by Lorient defender Jean-Victor Makengo in the box sent them to defeat as Issouf Macalou converted from the penalty spot.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Gudmundsson, Yoro, Alexsandro, Ismaily; Andre; Zhegrova, Gomes, Cabella, Haraldsson; David
Lorient possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Carioca, Laporte, Toure, B. Mendy; Abergel, Innocent; Faivre, Ponceau, Le Goff; Dieng
We say: Lille 3-0 Lorient
Their Coupe de France encounter was clearly a mismatch, but Lille now have a thirst for goals and will be seeking retribution versus Les Merlus, who beat them handily earlier this season.
Lorient could be reeling from several poor defensive displays and numerous starters away on international duty, and we expect to see Les Dogues pounce on a side who could barely contain a second-tier club last week.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
