Jason Collins
Dailysports's expert
Strasbourg
Lille
Strasbourg will host Lille in a French Ligue 1 clash on January 25. Here's a detailed look at this unpredictable match and whether we can expect an intense battle.
Strasbourg
After 18 rounds, Strasbourg sits in 10th place in the standings, 7 points clear of the relegation zone and 4 points behind the top six. In their last match, Strasbourg managed a hard-fought 1:1 away draw against a strong Marseille side, despite their opponent dominating much of the game.
The team is in solid form, currently on a five-match unbeaten run, with the Marseille draw snapping a three-game winning streak. Strasbourg also continues to compete in the Coupe de France, where they will face Angers in the Round of 16. With their current momentum, Strasbourg looks ready to challenge any opponent.
Lille
Lille is having a strong season, currently occupying third place in Ligue 1 and aiming to hold onto this position. They recently ended a remarkable 21-match unbeaten streak after losing to Liverpool in the Champions League earlier this week.
In Ligue 1, Lille remains unbeaten in their last 14 matches, most recently defeating Nice 2:1 at home. With a guaranteed place in the Champions League playoffs, Lille still has incentives to push for a top-eight finish in the tournament. Additionally, they remain active in the Coupe de France, where they eliminated Marseille in the Round of 116 after a penalty shootout.
Probable Lineups
- Strasbourg: Petrovic, Ouattara, Doukouré, Sarr, Doué, Nanasi, Santos, Diarra, Bakwa, Lemarechal, Emegha.
- Lille: Chevalier, Ismaily, Alexsandro, Diakité, Meunier, André, Gomes, Bakker, Cabella, Haraldsson, David.
Match Facts
- Strasbourg has lost just once at home in Ligue 1 this season, with 4 wins and 3 draws.
- Lille has drawn their last four away matches in Ligue 1.
- Odds for the match: Strasbourg win (P1) – 2.91, Draw (X) – 3.41, Lille win (P2) – 2.49.
Head-to-Head
The first-round meeting between these teams was a thrilling 3:3 draw, with no winner emerging in the high-scoring contest.
Prediction
Bookmakers find it difficult to pick a clear favorite, as both teams are in good form. The match is likely to be played at a high tempo, with both sides creating chances. A bet on both teams to score (BTTS) seems like a solid option for this encounter.
