Bitesize Prediction: Clermont vs Lille – 10/12/23

Competition: Ligue 1

Market: Lille win

Odds: 4/5 @ 1xBet

Hoping to extend their stay in the top-four this weekend, Lille will travel to the Stade Gabriel-Montpied on Sunday afternoon when they meet Clermont.

Starting with the hosts, although Clermont might have shocked everyone across Ligue 1 last season as they claimed a famous top-half finish, Les Lanciers have come crashing back down to earth this time around. At the heart of what has been a public struggle and now facing a real uphill battle to keep hold of their top-flight status, Pascal Gastien’s side have collected just 10 points from their first 14 Ligue 1 appearances this year. With it looking like their is mounting pressure on the former Niort boss, Clermont will certainly face another tricky test here. Last seen putting in another woeful display as they slumped to a routine 3-0 drumming at the hands of Brest, Sunday’s hosts have also shown some extended defensive issues. Marking their return from November’s international break with another 3-0 loss at home against Lens, Gastien’s men are rightfully tipped as an underdog contender this weekend.

As for the visitors, while Lille might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of a real struggle, the French heavyweights have come roaring back in some style. Skyrocketing their way up the Ligue 1 standings and continuing to receive a string of plaudits, Paulo Fonseca’s side will be confident of making another statement here. Breezing their way to the Europa Conference League knockout stage and hardly having to get out of third gear, the former Roma boss also finds his squad enjoying a 12-match unbeaten run across all competitions. With that stellar purple patch stemming all the way back to September 26th, Fonseca’s men should also be excited by their most recent trip to Clermont. Landing a 2-0 victory when they last travelled to the Stade Gabriel-Montpied 12 months ago, Lille will be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend. Two sides battling it out at opposite ends of the table, we are expecting an away win here.

Bet: Lille 4/5 to beat Clermont in Sunday’s Ligue 1 showdown @ 1xBet