AC Ajaccio vs Lyon prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-01-28 16:05.
After recording two wins from their last three Ligue 1 outings of 2022 (D1), the new year has brought about three consecutive Ligue 1 losses for Ajaccio who were most recently subjected to one of the heaviest losing margins of the season to date (7-1 away to Monaco). But their 2-0 defeat to Toulouse in the French Cup last weekend is probably a blessing in disguise for the Acéistes, who can now refocus on league duties to climb out of the four-team relegation zone.
With Ajaccio picking up six of their seven home points this season across their last three Ligue 1 outings at the François-Coty Stadium (W2, L1) there should be belief they can begin their relegation rescue mission in this match, especially against a Lyon side that have won just once at this stadium from five top-flight matches, losing the last two.
Visitors Lyon are not competing on the European stage in 2022/23 but their season has still been far below expectations, illustrated by a 12-point deficit from the five European places at the end of last round. The Ligue 1 record of new boss Laurent Blanc since his appointment in October (W3, D2, L4) has been far from satisfactory for Lyon’s supporters, and their 2-1 home defeat against relegation contenders Strasbourg in the previous round has not only plunged the club back into crisis, but also leaves many questioning their ability to even handle a trip to Ajaccio.
After a 3-0 victory over fifth-tier opposition Chambéry in the French Cup, the Lyonnais will hope to be back on track, and this matchup against Ajaccio should still be a good opportunity to avoid back-to-back Ligue 1 losses for the first time under Blanc. Lyon will bring warm favouritism into this game, as they did in their last five league games (W1, D2, L2), but can draw upon a 17-game unbeaten run against newly promoted sides (W11, D6) for inspiration.
Players to watch: Youcef Belaïli has been the key man in Ajaccio's upturn in home form, contributing to four of their seven home goals in Ligue 1 (G3, A1). Lyon’s in-form Alexandre Lacazette netted a hat-trick in the French Cup last weekend, and he has been involved in at least one goal in each of his last four appearances against Ajaccio (G2, A3).
Hot streak: The previous six competitive H2Hs have seen the home side on the day emerge victorious.