Lille welcome Reims to the iconic Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Tuesday, marking the final fixture of week six in Ligue 1.
Match Preview
Both teams are gearing up for an intense battle, with Lille aiming to secure their eighth consecutive victory in front of their adoring fans.
Meanwhile, Reims is determined to overcome their disappointing defensive away record and prove their capabilities against a side they have recently performed well against.
Paulo Fonseca’s Lille squad enters the game with high anticipation after their thrilling 2-2 draw against Rennes in gameweek five.
The Mastiffs are prepared to showcase their skills in front of their loyal supporters, with the opportunity to equal a club record of eight successive home victories.
Lille currently holds the league’s longest ongoing streak of seven straight wins on home soil.
Moreover, their flawless defensive performance at home this season sets them apart from their competitors.
A victory in this match could propel Les Dogues, currently positioned 10th, into the European places.
With triumph in sight, Lille has the chance to surpass Strasbourg (10 points) and Le Havre (nine points) on the league table.
However, Fonseca’s men must put an end to their three-game winless streak against Reims.
It has been a disappointing spell for Lille, resulting in two defeats since their last triumph over Reims in September 2021.
Despite Reims’ recent success against Lille, Will Still’s men have struggled defensively at the beginning of the new campaign, conceding five goals in three away games.
Their inability to keep a clean sheet dates back to last season, when they conceded nine goals in their final four away matches.
This season, Reims has shown improvement by scoring six goals on their travels. This suggests that the visitors could break Lille’s ongoing streak of not conceding at home.
Reims aims to bounce back after a two-game winless run and extend their unbeaten record against Lille to four matches.
A victory for Reims could see them surpass Fonseca’s men, who are currently only two points ahead in the standings.
Lille’s recent form in Ligue 1:
- Draw
- Win
- Loss
- Win
- Draw
Lille’s recent form in all competitions:
- Win
- Loss
- Draw
- Win
- Draw
- Win
Reims’ recent form in Ligue 1:
- Loss
- Win
- Win
- Draw
- Loss
Team News:
Lille’s centre-back Tiago Djalo will be unavailable until the New Year due to a cruciate ligament rupture suffered towards the end of the 2022-23 season.
Additionally, Nabil Bentaleb (calf) and Adam Ounas (thigh) are not expected to feature in Tuesday’s game.
Reims’ defender Josh Wilson-Esbrand is likely to miss the match due to an ankle injury, and he is expected to return next month.
Still’s team is expected to maintain their 4-3-3 formation, with Teddy Teuma, who leads Reims with three Ligue 1 goals, being a key player to watch in round six.
Possible starting lineups:
Lille:
Chevalier;
Santos, Yoro, Umtiti, Ismaily;
Gomes, Andre;
Cavaleiro, Cabella, Yazici;
David
Reims:
Diouf;
Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, De Smet;
Matusiwa, Richardson, Teuma;
Ito, Diakite, Nakamura
Prediction: Lille 2-2 Reims
Despite Lille’s impressive home record, Reims’ attacking approach could pose a challenge and potentially end Lille’s seven-game winning streak.
Expect an entertaining and closely contested match at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
