Lille vs Clermont prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-01-31 18:00.
Having seen a number of chances go awry in Sundayâs 1-0 loss at Nice, Lille fans expect a backlash, as the Mastiffs target a win that could put them level on points with fifth-placed Rennes. Losing was a rare enough experience for the 2020/21 title winners before the setback though, given that the defeat was their first since October 30 â and one which not even the clubâs outspoken coach Paulo Fonseca couldnât explain afterwards.
Lilleâs home form has been impressive so far in 2023, with their return of three wins and a draw forming part of a nine-game unbeaten home run spanning back to September. Each of those three wins recorded at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy saw Lille score both sides of the interval, and they also did likewise during last seasonâs corresponding H2H fixture, en-route to a 4-0 victory.
Clermontâs own Sunday was a quiet one (D 0-0 vs Nantes), but the shutout was enough to keep them in the top-half, and an impressive 11 points better off than they were at the same stage in the clubâs maiden top-flight season last year, when they eventually finished 17th. Tantalisingly, a win here sees them close the gap behind their hosts to just two points, keeping alive some isolated embers of hope that they can make a European debut next term.
While this calendar year is still in its infancy, Clermont are already looking to make it three victories from as many Ligue 1 road trips made during 2023 â notably, it took them until April 20 to get a third win on hostile turf recorded in 2022! The Lancers also have a clear penchant for striking first in away league matches, doing so in each of their previous four (W2, D1, L1).
Key battle: Mohamed Bayo rounded off the scoring for Lille in their 2-0 win over his old club earlier this season, for a fourth straight goalscoring away match won âto-nilâ by his team on the day. Heâll go up against Clermont defender Neto Borges, who was the matchwinner in the Lancersâ most recent triumph (2-1 vs Angers), and has seen both of his prior goals in 2022/23 arrive via headers inside the first ten second-half minutes.
Hot stat: Clermont have conceded beyond the hour mark in three of their last four away league matches.