Lyon vs Strasbourg Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1
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It has been a worryingly difficult start to life in his first full season as manager for Pierre Sage at Olympique Lyonnais and there will be a concern that Strasbourg could inflict further damage upon the slow starters at Parc OL.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 30th August, 2024 - UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – TBC / US – beIN Sports or beIN Sports de Espanol
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 website pass / US – Fubo or Fanatiz
LYON PREVIEW: HEROICS ONLY LAST SO LONG
At the start of last season, Olympique Lyonnais badly struggled with both Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso being sacked as they sat in the bottom two at the start of December. Pierre Sage eventually came in and helped propel them to the top six and European places with their form being the best of any side in Ligue 1 after his appointment.
However, after another summer of relatively heavy investment in the transfer window, Lyon have started their campaign with back-to-back defeats without scoring. They started by losing by three goals to nil away to Stade Rennais before then losing 2-0 at home to Monaco with both goals coming in the second-half.
STRASBOURG PREVIEW: ADAPTING TO ROSENIOR
Strasbourg supporters remain extremely unhappy with their BlueCo and Todd Boehly ownership, which has effectively made them a feeder or satellite club of Chelsea. They finished in the middle-of-the-table last season before the sacking of former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira this summer.
He was replaced by former Hull City boss Liam Rosenior, who narrowly missed out on the Championship playoffs last season with the Tigers. They have started their campaign in quite an impressive manner by starting with a 1-1 draw against Montpellier Herault on the opening day before then comfortably defeating the aforementioned Rennes by three goals to one.
LYON TEAM NEWS: FINDING THE BALANCE
After recent signings in January, such as Ernest Nuamah and Gift Orban, there has been a lack of balance at the start of this season with both Alexandre Lacazette and Georges Mikautadze being needed to get crammed into the side.
There will be a concern that the back four was reliant on Jake O’Brien in the middle alongside Duje Caleta-Car but his departure and Moussa Niakhate’s poor performances are a major concern.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Perri; Clinton Mata, Caleta-Car, Niakhate, Abner; Maitland-Niles, Caqueret; Balde, Benrahma, Fofana; Lacazette
UNAVAILABLE: Tagliafico (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Nuamah (Injured)
STRASBOURG TEAM NEWS: BASED ON DIARRA
With only one fresh injury concern for Strasbourg, that being Thomas Delaine, there appears no reason for Liam Rosenior to make any changes to the side as they travel to Lyon.
Habib Diarra is having the side built around him in what appears to be an advanced midfield position. The visitors are also still without Milos Lukovic and Moise Sahi for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-1-2): Johnsson; Doue, Sow, Sylla; Bakwa, Santos, Doukoure, Wiley; Diarra; Emegha, Moreira
UNAVAILABLE: Delaine (Injured), Lukovic (Injured), Sahi (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LYON VS STRASBOURG PREDICTION
At the back end of last season this one would have appeared to be a foregone conclusion, especially with Lyon having their home advantage. However, as we move through to the end of the summer transfer window, the two sides appear to be very different propositions with there a bit of a concern that Lyon’s issues lie deeper than just a bit of tactical confusion. It could be a perfect chance for Strasbourg to take advantage.
LYON VS STRASBOURG TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – STRASBOURG TO WIN OR DRAW
