Lyon Analysis
Lyon has been struggling with form since the beginning of the year, with their only victory in all competitions coming on January 4, when they narrowly defeated Montpellier 1-0. Since that win, OL has failed to secure a single victory in their last seven matches, recording three losses and four draws across all competitions.
The club’s poor start to the year resulted in the dismissal of head coach Pierre Sage on January 27, and he was replaced by Paulo Fonseca. However, Fonseca did not have an ideal start, as he suffered a 3-2 defeat against Marseille in his debut match, with Lyon conceding a late goal. The Portuguese coach, who previously led AC Milan, will be hoping to achieve his first victory with the team this weekend.
Despite their underwhelming form, Lyon remains in the hunt for European competition next season. They are only five points behind fourth-placed Lille, which means a turnaround in form could still keep them in contention for a Champions League spot.
This match against Reims presents a good opportunity for OL to break their winless streak, as they are facing a team that has been struggling for months.
Reims Analysis
Reims is also going through a tough period, having won only once in their last 13 Ligue 1 matches. That victory came on November 10, when they defeated Le Havre 3-0 away. Since then, they have gone nine consecutive league matches without a win.
Their first encounter with Lyon this season, back in November, ended in a 1-1 draw. Rayan Cherki gave Lyon the lead, but Oumar Diakite equalized for Reims, resulting in both teams sharing the points.
Similar to their opponents, Reims recently decided to change their coach. Luka Elsner was sacked after a 1-0 loss to Nantes, which allowed Nantes to close the gap to just one point behind Reims in the standings. Following his dismissal, Samba Diawara was appointed as the interim head coach.
Although Reims has been struggling in Ligue 1, they have performed well in the Coupe de France, securing a place in the quarter-finals by defeating fifth-tier club Bourgoin-Jallieu on penalties after a goalless draw. However, their inability to score against such a lower-tier side highlights their attacking struggles. Interestingly, that same Bourgoin-Jallieu team knocked Lyon out of the competition on penalties last month, which was one of the main reasons for Sage’s sacking.
Despite their league troubles, Reims has had slightly better results on the road than at home this season. They have collected 12 points in away matches compared to only 10 at home. Diawara will aim to secure his second consecutive away win on Sunday before focusing on improving Reims’ poor home record when they face Angers next week.
Team News
Lyon will be without Malick Fofana, who is sidelined due to a hip injury. Alexandre Lacazette, the team’s top scorer, will lead the attack, needing just one more goal to reach double figures this season.
Reims, on the other hand, has several injury concerns. Abdoul Kone, Teddy Teuma (calf), and Mohammed Daramy (knee) are all out until later this month. Additionally, Yaya Fofana (ankle) remains a long-term absentee and is not expected to return before April. However, Joseph Okumu is available again after serving a one-match suspension following his red card against Nantes.
Possible Lineups
Lyon:
Perri; Tagliafico, Niakhate, Mata, Kumbedi; Tolisso, Matic, Veretout; Nuamah, Lacazette, Cherki
Reims:
Diouf; Akieme, Kipre, Okumu, Buta; Atangana, Patrick, Kone; Nakamura, Diakite, Ito
Betting Prediction
Given the current form of both teams, this match presents an interesting challenge for bettors.
- Lyon’s Strengths: Despite their struggles, Lyon has more individual quality, especially in attack with Lacazette, Cherki, and Nuamah. Additionally, they will have the home advantage and extra motivation under their new coach.
- Reims’ Weaknesses: The visitors are in a long winless streak and have struggled to create chances, as seen in their recent performance against Bourgoin-Jallieu.
Considering all factors, here are some betting recommendations:
- Lyon to Win – Given Reims’ poor form and Lyon’s need to bounce back under Fonseca, a home win seems like a solid choice.
- Under 2.5 Goals – Reims has been struggling offensively, while Lyon has also had difficulties converting chances, making a low-scoring game likely.
- Both Teams to Score – No – If Lyon manages to keep a disciplined defense, Reims may find it difficult to score.
Final prediction: Lyon 1-0 Reims
