Strasbourg, who won their first game of the Ligue 1 season last weekend, have a chance to end a winless streak versus Lille, whom they face Friday at Stade de la Meinau with kickoff at 10 pm.
After failing to win any of their first nine matches in Ligue 1, Strasbourg finally recorded a victory last weekend, scoring multiple goals for the first time all season.
It was their fourth time ever starting a top-flight campaign so poorly; the club’s worst start came in 1987-88 when they began with two draws and five losses.
Although Strasbourg is currently above the relegation line, leading Angers by just one point, they could drop down to 18th place this week if they lose their match against Brest and their opponents beat Caen.
On Friday, Lille has an opportunity to make a significant breakthrough. They have not won consecutive Ligue 1 matches since February-March last year, but Paulo Fonseca’s side is on a roll after beating Lens 1-0 at home for their second straight win at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
In their last seven outings at that stadium, Les Nordistes had not conceded; they have never kept clean sheets on the road in this competition since beating Nantes 1-0 in March of last season.
Strasbourg vs. Lille Head to Head
Both sides have 17 games against each other, with the hosts taking four wins while the visitors with nine wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Angers 2-3 Strasbourg
- Strasbourg 1-3 Rennes
- Montpellier 2-1 Strasbourg
- Strasbourg 0-0 Clermont
Away
- Lille 1-0 Lens
- Lorient 2-1 Lille
- Lille 2-1 Toulouse
- Marseille 2-1 Lille
Strasbourg Team News
Gerzino Nyamsi is suspended for Strasbourg’s home match against Angers, so that Lucas Perrin will replace him in the lineup. Thomas Delaine will start in the midfield instead of Dimitri Lienard, who is nursing a sore thigh. Ludovic Ajorque has a chest injury, Lebo Mothiba has a thigh problem, and Nordine Kandil continues to deal with a foot issue.
Lille Team News
New signing Jonas Martin started in the midfield for Lille against Lens, but Andre Gomes replaced him in the lineup for Friday’s game against Lorient. Fonseca must make changes for that match, as Bafode Diakite and Angel Gomes will be suspended after receiving their second yellow cards of the season on Sunday.
Prediction and Odds
Strasbourg has been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde team this season: they have looked like world-beaters at times but have also played some pretty lackluster games.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Goals Under 3.5
