Clermont vs Lille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-12-09 14:00.
The wolves are never far from the door when it comes to football managers, and Clermont boss Pascal Gastien will be aware that speculation over his future will continue to mount if their form doesn’t turn around soon. Gastien is comfortably Ligue 1’s longest serving head coach, but a run of three defeats in six outings (W1, D2), scoring just two goals in the process, has left the Lancers lodged in the relegation zone.
Aware of the problems facing his side, Gastien himself has admitted his concerns over the run of form, describing the 3-0 hammering at the hands of Brest last time out as “worrying”. He was missing from the touchline in that game and he will be once again here, as he sits out the second match of a two game suspension, leaving him no more than an interested spectator as Clermont seek just a second home league win of the season (D1, L5).
History suggests things are unlikely to get better any time soon, given visitors Lille have not so much as conceded a goal in the last three H2Hs (W2, D1). That bodes well for Paulo Fonseca’s side, who have won their last three matches 2-0, extending a terrific unbeaten run to 12 matches across all competitions since the start of October (W7, D5).
The most recent of those fixtures came against Metz, aided by Lucas Chevalier saving two penalties and allowing the Mastiffs to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot. Their away record will surely need to improve if they are to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in three years though, as their 12 Ligue 1 fixtures on the road since April have yielded just two victories (D7, L3).
Players to watch: Clermont will be desperate for striker Muhammed Cham to find his shooting boots given they have won seven of the nine games in which he has scored (L2). Looking to out-gun him will be Lille’s Yusuf Yazıcı, who has seen five of his six goals this season serve as the first or last of the game.
Hot stat: No team in Europe’s traditional top-five European leagues has scored fewer home goals than Clermont’s three this season.