Preview: Strasbourg vs. Lille - prediction, team news, lineups

Ligue 1 champions Lille will be looking to build on their narrow midweek win against Reims when they travel to the Stade de la Meinau to face Strasbourg on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, the visitors, who sit just two points above Les Dogues, are hoping they can claim their fourth top-flight victory in five matches.

Match preview

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Strasbourg claimed their first away victory of the campaign when they beat 10-man Lens by a narrow 1-0 scoreline on Wednesday night.

The hosts were reduced to 10 men just five minutes into the second half after Kevin Danso's high challenge on Anthony Caci. The deadlock was then broken in the 67th minute by Strasbourg striker Ludovic Ajorque, who headed in from close range, with the visitors holding on to claim their third win of the season.

After a slow start to the new season, Julien Stephan's men have claimed nine points from their last 12 available, which has helped them climb into the top half of the table and just two points off the top four.

Strasbourg may find it difficult to claim another three points on Saturday, as they face a Lille outfit who they have failed to beat in each of their last six meetings.

The Racers lost their home fixture against Les Dogues 3-0 last season, but having claimed seven of their 10 points on home soil so far this term, Stephan's men can take confidence into this weekend's game in front of their own fans.

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Lille bounced back from two successive league defeats with a narrow 2-1 victory at home against Reims on Wednesday evening.

First-half strikes from Jonathan David and Benjamin Andre gave the hosts a two-goal cushion before the deficit was halved in the 74th minute when Reims substitute Alexis Flips converted from the penalty spot.

Les Dogues eventually held on for all three points which has seen them climb four places above the relegation zone up to 14th, though the gap to the summit – currently occupied by high-flying Paris Saint-Germain – is 13 points after just seven games.

After a disappointing start to their title defence, Jocelyn Gourvennec now needs to ensure his side are in a position to qualify for Europe before they can even consider catching PSG at the top.

Lille's form needs to improve quickly if they are to get back on track and move into the top seven. Having won three and drawn one of their last four matches against Strasbourg – scoring on average two goals per game – a victory for Les Dogues on Saturday could act as a springboard towards a much-needed run of form.

Team News

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Strasbourg will be without forward Lebo Mothiba due to a knee injury, while Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Moise Sahi Dion are ruled out with thigh problems.

Ibrahima Sissoko, who returned to the matchday squad in midweek and came off the bench, will be in contention to start ahead of either Sanjin Prcic or Jean-Eudes Aholou.

Strikers Ajorque and Habib Diallo, who have both scored three league goals so far this season, are expected to partner each other once again in attack, with 34-year-old Kevin Gameiro set to start in the number 10 role just behind the front two.

As for Lille, winger Jonathan Bamba and central midfielder Renato Sanches remain sidelined with respective thigh and knee injuries.

Gourvennec will, however, be able to welcome back Xeka, who has served his one-match suspension. The Portuguese midfielder could be brought straight back into the starting lineup at the expense of Amadou Onana.

Timothy Weah is set to face competition from Yusuf Yazici and Angel Gomes to keep his place on the left side of midfield, while veteran striker Burak Yilmaz will likely partner Canadian international David once again up front.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Sels; Guilbert, Djiku, Nyamsi, Le Marchand, Caci; Sissoko, Prcic; Gameiro; Diallo, Ajorque

Lille possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Gudmundsson; Ikone, Andre, Xeka, Weah; David, Yilmaz

We say: Strasbourg 1-1 Lille

Lille have conceded in every Ligue 1 game so far this campaign, while Strasbourg have only kept one clean sheet from their first seven matches, so goals are to be expected on Saturday.

As reigning champions, the visitors will head into this fixture as slight favourites, however we can see the Racers securing a point on home soil.