Best Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker:
Knowing that three points will be enough to officially punch a top-four return, Lille will travel to the Stade de l Aube on Saturday night when they meet Troyes.
Troyes
Starting with the hosts, while Troyes might just about clung to their Ligue 1 status last season, it has been another nightmare campaign for Patrick Kisnorbo’s men. Free-falling their way out of France’s top-flight and with it their relegation long since confirmed, the Blues are certainly limping their way over the finish line. Last seen putting in yet another downbeat display as they slumped to a 2-1 loss away at Troyes, the former Melbourne City boss has found growing pressure on his shoulders. In what has quickly transformed into a record-breaking rut, Saturday’s hosts have remarkably failed to muster a single win from any of their last 21 straight appearances across all competitions a run that stems back to a 3-2 victory against Strasbourg on January 2nd. Only showing a string of glaring defensive issues on either side of the World Cup’s winter break, Troyes will know that they face another huge challenge here.
Team News
Shown a straight red card against Strasbourg on May 21st, 30-year-old Gauthier Gallon will once again miss out on Saturday night through suspension. Likewise, dealing with long-term injury issues, the duo of Florian Tardieu and Renaud Ripart will not feature here.
Despite failing to muster a single Ligue 1 strike since Troyes’ 2-2 draw against Monaco on March 5th, Canadian international Ike Ugbo should keep his place in Kisnorbo’s attack.
Lille
As for the visitors, opening up their Ligue 1 finale holding a one-point buffer over both Rennes and Monaco, Lille find themselves sat in pole position to punch a lucrative top-four return here. Putting in another eye-catching display last time out as they secured a 2-1 victory at home against Nantes, Paulo Fonseca’s side have continued to impress many across France this season. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their last seven top-flight appearances, the former Roma boss will simply be desperate for his side to officially complete their European charge on Saturday night. With their recent flurry highlighted by a rugged 2-1 win against Marseille on May 20th, Les Dogues will also be excited by their most recent showdown against an already-relegated Troyes. Storming to a thumping 5-1 victory when they welcomed Saturday’s hosts to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on January 15th, Fonseca will be calling on a repeat performance here.
Team News
Dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single appearance since retiring from March’s international break, Tiago Djalo will not feature here. However, in what could be a timely boost for Fonseca’s side, Les Dogues are hopeful that Andre Gomes could make a full return.
Bagging both goals against Nantes last weekend and notching 24 Ligue 1 strikes this season, attacking talisman Jonathan David will once again have a key role to play here.
Key Factors to Consider
