Lorient vs Strasbourg prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-12-16 14:00.
After a 4-2 home defeat to Marseille on Sunday, Lorient will be looking to avoid their third successive loss at the Stade du Moustoir this Sunday afternoon with Strasbourg making the almost 1000 km journey west. A solid start from Régis Le Bris’ side will be a priority as they found themselves 1-0 down after three minutes in both of their last home games, on their way to conceding a combined seven goals.
With a recent home defensive record like that, it is no surprise that the Merlus had conceded the most goals in the division heading into this round, keeping only two clean sheets from their last 23 Ligue 1 fixtures. This frailty at the back has contributed to Lorient’s current poor form which has seen them win only one of their last 12 (D4, L7) and consequently last season’s tenth place finish currently seems a long way off.
Occupying that mid-table spot ahead of this round of fixtures are Strasbourg, who returned to winning ways for the first time since late September (D4, L4) on Sunday thanks to a 96th minute winner against Le Havre. Ahead of the game, manager Patrick Vieira stressed the need for patience with his young team and they certainly tested the fans' resolve in that regard with their late late show!
An even longer stretch of patience has been required when it comes to winning at Lorient though, as Le Racing have not returned east from the Stade du Moustoir with three points since 1999 (D1, L3) and have secured only one victory at home or away across their last eight H2Hs (D4, L3). But if Vieira’s team can get the win, then they will have secured back-to-back victories for the first time this season as well as some additional breathing space from the bottom three.
Players to watch: Romain Faivre has scored Lorient’s first goal in both of their last two home games and also got a brace in this fixture last season. Strasbourg’s Emanuel Emegha is in an even richer vein of form, with the forward finding the net in three of his last four games.
Hot streak: Lorient failed to open the scoring in any of their last six matches.