Lyon vs Lorient prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-03-04 16:05.
Despite beating Angers 3-1 in the previous Ligue 1 round, Lyon began the new week stuck in ninth place and facing an uphill battle if they are to qualify for Europe via the league. It’s unfamiliar territory for a side so used to continental action, though they need to keep fighting in any case, as they’re also bidding to stave off a first bottom-half finish in the French top-flight since 1995/96.
While Lyon still hope to end an 11-year trophy drought after reaching the Coupe de France semi finals, a return of just one win (D2, L2) from their previous five Ligue 1 home games is a concern. However, the hosts boast an impressive record across home league clashes to see them net the opener this term (W6, D1), giving them every reason to start assertively.
Just a point better off than Lyon going into March despite once being tipped as dark horses for a top-three finish, Lorient have tasted just one victory in their last four league games (D1, L2). A failure to score in the other three clearly illustrates how much Lorient still miss departed duo Dango Ouattara and Terem Moffi, who together accounted for over half (18) of the side’s 32 league goals scored at the time of the latter’s loan departure to Nice back on January 31.
Les Merlus’ run of three straight away league losses further underlines their recent decline and that has contributed to a sour trend where Lorient have recorded just one second-half shutout across their last six Ligue 1 road trips, suggesting that the club’s first league double over Lyon since 2016/17 is a relatively long shot.
Players to watch: Lorient’s second-half struggles might inspire Rayan Cherki, as he struck after half-time to settle Lyon’s latest home league game (W 2-1 vs Lens). Including that winning goal, his last nine goalscoring senior-level games have seen both teams score, and the same trait curiously applies to all six of visiting danger man Enzo Le Fée’s prior Ligue 1 outings to see him net.
Hot streak: Each of the previous six H2Hs have seen both teams score.