Prediction: Lille vs Toulouse

Verdict: Lille win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Turning their attention back to Ligue 1 action on Saturday evening, Lille will welcome Toulouse to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Lille

Starting with the hosts, spring what was a famous Champions League upset earlier in the week, Lille should still find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Eventually securing a stellar 1-0 victory against defending European champions and Spanish icons Real Madrid, the Mastiffs will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker on Saturday evening. Likewise, last seen in Ligue 1 action storming their way to a routine 3-0 romp away at Le Havre, Bruno Genesio’s side have secured back-to-back wins across all competitions for the first time since the end of August. Pencilled in as a standout contender when they return to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy this weekend, Lille will know the importance of claiming some stability on home soil. In fact, continuing on from last season, Genesio’s side have registered just a sole victory from any of their previous five Ligue 1 showdowns in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season, Lille will once again be without former Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti this weekend. Likewise, not featuring since returning from September’s international break, ex-Copenhagen starlet Hakon Arnar Haraldsson remains on the sidelines.

Bagging a famous Champions League winner against Real Madrid earlier in the week and really firing on all cylinders this season, attacking talisman Jonathan David will spearhead Lille’s charge. Serving a European suspension in midweek, England international Angel Gomes should make a full return here.

Toulouse

As for the visitors, while Toulouse might have marked their return from September’s international break with a 2-0 victory at home against Le Havre, it appears that was just a minor boost for Les Violets. Suffering last-gasp heartbreak at the hands of Lyon last time out as they eventually fell to a 2-1 defeat, Carles Martinez Novell could have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Heading into September’s fortnight interval with a 3-1 defeat against Marseille, Saturday’s guests have recorded just a single victory from any of their first six Ligue 1 appearances. Battling it out at the foot of the table and losing three of their last four showdowns against top-flight opposition, the Violets should be bracing themselves for another stern examination when they return to the Stadium de Toulouse this weekend.

Team News

Both yet to make a single Ligue 1 appearance so far this season, Toulouse will once again be without the duo of Nicolas Wasbauer and Ylies Aradj on Saturday evening. Forced to settle for a spot on the bench against Lyon last week, one-time Bournemouth striker Joshua King will be hoping for a full recall this weekend.

Likewise, arriving from Championship outfit Leeds over the summer, England U21 international Charlie Cresswell could feature at the heart of Novell’s defence. Recording two goals in his previous three Ligue 1 appearances, 23-year-old Yann Gboho will shoulder most of Toulouse’s goalscoring threat.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Lille and Toulouse last met back on February 25th, Les Violets collected a shock 3-1 victory on home soil.
• However, Saturday’s guests have collected just a single victory from any of their first six Ligue 1 appearances so far this season.
• Including their famous 1-0 victory against defending European champions Real Madrid in midweek, Lille have recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since the end of August.
• Canadian marksmen Jonathan David has recorded nine goals for club and country so far this season.
• Three of the last four meetings between Lille and Toulouse have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Claiming what was an iconic 1-0 victory against defending European champions Real Madrid earlier in the week, Lille should be smelling the chance to extend on their recent flurry here. Last seen in Ligue 1 action storming their way to a routine 3-0 romp against Le Havre, Saturday’s hosts will be looking to cash in on a Toulouse squad that find themselves at the heart of a real top-flight struggle.

Verdict: Lille win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet