Lille vs Strasbourg Prediction & Betting Tips

Although it seems that PSG have no intention of letting go of the Ligue 1 title, this competition does seem pretty entertaining. This Friday, for example, we have a very exciting duel at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, where Lille will welcome Strasbourg. The game looks really good to check free bets and if you’re looking for a match prediction, you’re at the right place!

Nicolas Pepe of Lille OSC

Lille

This team is currently on the 3^rd place of the French Ligue 1 with 25 points. That’s the same amount of points as Montpellier, a side that’s on the 2^nd position thanks to a better goal difference. Although they’ve scored one goal less than Lille, they have done better defensively, allowing only 7 goals so far, which is three more than Lille.

But, their table positions can change this weekend if Lille play well and/or Montpellier play poorly. And because Lille have everything in their hands, or should I say in their legs, they will be very motivated to win big on Friday evening. But, do they have the quality to do so or their current position on the table is a result of lucky circumstances?

Well, Lille is a team that ended just one spot above the relegation zone, with a single point more than Toulouse who had to play the relegation playoff in order to secure their position in the Ligue 1. Lille did bring in a couple of players over the summer, but they also sold a few of them. So, what’s the key to their success?

Lille’s main strength this season comes from their attack, where Bamba and Pepe have scored 7 and 8 goals respectively. Both attackers are currently in their prime – Bamba is 22 and Pepe is 23 years of age. They’re fast and agile, thus almost impossible to be marked by the opponents. Even some of the best French teams failed to tame Lille’s forwards, e.g. PSG, Marseille, Saint-Etienne, etc. Do Strasbourg defenders have the antidote perhaps?

Strasbourg

Similarly to Lille, Strasbourg are also flying very high at the moment. They’re at the 7^th place on the table, but considering that they finished the last season just a few spots above the relegation zone (with the same number of points as Lille), some would say that they’re overachieving.

Another similarity with Lille is that they’ve also been doing pretty well in the final third, scoring a total of 20 goals in 12 matches. And the most encouraging thing for their fans is that Strasbourg have scored in every single league game since August.

Unlike Lyon whose forwards are leading the way, Strasbourg’s strongest point is their midfield. They’re great at keeping the ball in their feet. For instance, last weekend against Toulouse, they had the ball in their possession for almost 70% of the time.

Unfortunately for them, their defense hasn’t been that great this season. So when the ball is in their opponents’ possession, there’s always a big danger that they will concede a goal. So far, they’ve allowed a total of 16 goals in 12 league games. And 9 of does happened on the road.

Team News

Lille absentees:

Fares Bahlouli (doubtful)

Strasbourg absentees:

Anthony Goncalves (injury)
Abdallah Ndour (injury)
Ludovic Ajorque (injury)
Idriss Saadi (injury)

Possible Lineups

Lille

Maignan – Fonte, Soumaoro, Celik, Ballo Toure – Mendes, Xeka, Ikone – Bamba, Pepe, Remy

Strasbourg

Sels – Mitrovic, Kone, Martinez – Sissoko, Martin, Thomasson, Lala, Carole – Da Costa, Mothiba