Clermont-Lille is a Ligue 1 Week 16 match and is played on Wednesday at 7pm: odds, predictions, live TV and streaming
Lille have decided to start again with Portuguese former Roma coach Paulo Fonseca to put behind them the disappointments of last year, when the Dogues failed to repeat the extraordinary 2020-21 season that ended with a historic title.
The aim is to at least return to Europe, but the competition – at least from what was seen in the first part of the championship – is quite fierce. David and his team-mates, however, have defended themselves well and are part of the group of teams aiming for second and third place, the only ones in addition to first place that allow them to qualify for the next Champions League. Behind Psg, which as expected is making a race of its own, are Lens (36 points) and Rennes (31), but the other big names in French football – including Lille itself – remain on their heels. Fonseca’s men have 26 points and, before the World Cup break, seemed to be fairly well on track, having taken home four victories in their last six matches. They were no less impressive in the friendlies played in December. The most notable was a resounding 4-1 away win against Napoli, who are dominating Serie A.
Lille score with ease but concede too much
Like all of Fonseca’s teams, Lille seem to favour the offensive over the defensive: they have one of the best attacks in the tournament, but at the same time they concede a lot.
Gastien
With 23 goals conceded, the Dogues’ defence is the most beaten of the Ligue 1 top ten. On the first post-World Cup day, they will be up against surprising Clermont, who have six more points after 15 rounds than they did at this point last year. However, Pascal Gastien’s team has had a downturn since mid-October, not winning any of their last five matches.
The Prediction
Lille have a lot of quality in the offensive half of the pitch and should be able to pierce Clermont’s defence, who have always conceded at least one goal in their last eight home games, without any problems. The three points appear within reach of Fonseca’s team.
The Clermont-Lille matchday squad
- CLERMONT (3-4-1-2): Diaw; Seidu, Wieteska, Caufriez; Bela, Gastien, Magnin, Borges; Cham; Kyei, Andric.
- LILLE (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Diakité, Fonte, Djalo, Ismaily; André, Angel Gomes; Ounas, Cabella, Bamba; David.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
