Bitesize Prediction: Auxerre vs Lille – 10/01/25

Competition: Ligue 1

Market: Lille win

Odds: 10/11 @ BetUS

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways this weekend, Lille will travel to Burgundy on Friday night when they meet Auxerre.

Starting with the hosts, while Auxerre might have enjoyed a sensational flurry on either side of November’s international break, Christophe Pelissier’s men have come crashing back down to earth. Despite opening this weekend’s fixtures battling it out in the top-half of the Ligue 1 standings, the Burgundy-based outfit are without a win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions. Last seen opening the New Year with a 3-1 loss at the hands of Strasbourg, the former Lorient boss is desperately seeking some kind of boost here. However, shockingly crashing out of the Coupe de France last month following a 1-0 defeat at home against second-tier outfit Dunkerque, Auxerre will be bracing themselves for another stern examination on Friday night. Pencilled in as a real outside contender when they return to Burgundy this weekend, Pelissier’s camp have also shown some recent defensive struggles. Including a 2-0 loss against Toulouse on December 1st, Auxerre have conceded a pair of goals in three of their last four Ligue 1 showdowns.

As for the visitors, left frustrated last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Nantes, Lille will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, enjoying what has become a sensational Champions League romp and clinching a famous 1-0 victory against defending European champions Real Madrid on October 2nd, Bruno Genesio’s side have gained a reputation for their rugged approach. In fact, the former Rennes boss has not seen his squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous 18 consecutive appearances across all competitions. With that extended purple patch stemming all the way back to September 17th, Lille should be smelling a real opportunity this weekend. Likewise, not suffering a single domestic defeat away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy over the past four months, Genesio’s men will be relishing a trip to Burgundy on Friday night. Hoping to find a route into bronze medal position, we are backing an away victory here.

Bet: Lille 10/11 to beat Auxerre in Friday’s Ligue 1 showdown @ BetUS