Preview: Auxerre vs Lorient - prediction, team news, lineups

Dreaming of making a strong start to life back in Ligue 1, promoted club Lorient will travel to face Auxerre at Stade de l'Abbe-Deschamps on Sunday.

AJA were winless in their last three pre-season matches, while Les Merlus lost last time out.

Match preview

Christophe Pelissier's Auxerre will be aiming to stay up for a second straight season after comfortably surviving in the French top flight last term.

AJA earned promotion by lifting the Ligue 2 title in 2023-24, and they performed admirably back in Ligue 1, finishing 11th in the table with 42 points, nine above 16th-placed Reims in the relegation zone.

In preparation for the league's return, Pelissier's side started their pre-season schedule with consecutive victories over Orleans and Clermont, though they have failed to win any of their games since.

Last Saturday, Auxerre were beaten 2-0 by La Liga's Levante UD, and the boss will be concerned by the fact that his team did not register a single shot on target.

A club would typically draw confidence from kicking off their campaign on their own turf, but AJA have won just one of their six most recent home games, and with a record of three defeats, one draw and one defeat from their last five competitive matches, fans would be forgiven for being nervous.

Meanwhile, Olivier Pantaloni's Lorient were relegated from the top flight in 2023-24, but they are desperate to make a strong start to avoid the drop this time around.

Les Merlus won the second division title last season, earning promotion after racking up 71 points across their 34 league games.

Pantaloni's men are well aware of the major step up that awaits them in Ligue 1, but they will take heart from the fact that they lost just one of their five pre-season matches, drawing two and winning two, including a 3-1 triumph over Championship club Swansea City.

That sole defeat came when Lorient were beaten 1-0 on the road by Angers last Saturday, and though it was an isolated result, their confidence may have been knocked considering that the only team they lost to this summer was from the French top flight.

The travelling supporters have become accustomed to strong performances from the visitors given that they won five of their final eight away games in Ligue 2, but with just one win from their last five overall, it remains to be seen whether that form will translate into the season's opening matchweek.

Auxerre form (all competitions):

Lorient form (all competitions):

Team News

Auxerre will be without right-sided defender Sinaly Diomande this weekend due to suspension, so expect Francisco Sierralta and Clement Akpa to start at centre-back, flanked by Marvin Senaya and Fredrik Oppegard at full-back.

In terms of injuries, midfielder Oussama El Azzouzi is out with a hamstring issue, and Assane Diousse could take his place in the XI.

As for Lorient, loanee centre-back Abdoulaye Faye is sidelined for the opener as he builds fitness after recovering from a broken foot, though he should be back in contention before the end of August.

In his absence, Montassar Talbi should start alongside Formose Mendy at the heart of Pantaloni's backline this weekend.

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Leon; Senaya, Sierralta, Akpa, Oppegard; Azzouzi, Owusu, Danois; Casimir, Osman, Sinayoko

Lorient possible starting lineup:

Kamara; Kalulu, Mendy, Talbi, Kouassi; Mvuka Mvuka, Abergel, Ebong, Pagis; Soumano, Bamba