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Lille
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 1
Aug 7, 2022 at 2pm UK
Stade Pierre-Mauroy
AJ Auxerre

Lille
4 - 1
Auxerre

Andre (1'), David (3', 39'), Zedadka (64')
Gomes (58'), Djalo (73')
FT(HT: 3-0)
Charbonnier (68')
Jeanvier (44')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Lille and Auxerre, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Auxerre's first game back in Ligue 1 for the 2022-23 season sees them travel to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy to face dethroned champions Lille on Sunday.

Les Dogues could only muster a 10th-placed finish under Jocelyn Gourvennec last season, while their visitors overcame Saint-Etienne in the playoffs to rise into the top tier.


Match preview

Roma manager Paulo Fonseca pictured on January 15, 2021© Reuters

Much was made of Jocelyn Gouvennec's appointment to the Lille hotseat last term after Christophe Galtier took up a new adventure with Nice, and despite kicking off his reign with Trophee des Champions success over Paris Saint-Germain, the following months were dissatisfactory to say the least.

Making it through to the last-16 of the Champions League did lead to muted cheers within the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, but they were quickly dispatched by Chelsea, but their Coupe de France run ended in the last-32 stage, and a futile challenge for the European places did not materialise.

The Dogues board have sought to address such managerial concerns by welcoming former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca to the dugout for the 2022-23 campaign, but a mass exodus of players has seen Renato Sanches, Sven Botman, Zeki Celik, Burak Yilmaz and Xeka all depart.

Mohamed Bayo represents the only statement signing for Lille so far - joining for a £12.6m fee from Clermont - and he will hope to form an effective partnership in the final third with Jonathan David, who has hinted that this year will be his last at the French club.

Fonseca's side overcame Cadiz, drew with Las Palmas and lost to Espanyol in their Spain-themed pre-season period, and they welcome Auxerre to their headquarters seeking to post just a second win from six home games in Ligue 1 since the start of April.

Jean-Marc Furlan, now in charge of Auxerre, pictured in 2013© Reuters

Neither Ajaccio nor Toulouse were prepared to be usurped by Auxerre in their bids to earn automatic promotion back to the top division, and Jean-Marc Furlan's side were forced to pit their wits against Saint-Etienne in the playoffs for their chance to join their Ligue 2 counterparts.

After two 1-1 draws home and away, the dreaded penalty shootout would decide the fate of the two sides for the 2022-23 season, and Auxerre dispatched all five of their penalties while Ryad Boudebouz failed to convert for Saint-Etienne, ultimately sending them down.

The disgraceful scenes of flare-wielding Saint-Etienne fans storming the pitch and crowding both sets of players overshadowed what should have been a joyous occasion for Auxerre, who are back in Ligue 1 for the first time since their 2011-12 relegation.

Furlan's side have not exactly made waves in the transfer market, but the additions of Benoit Costil and Denys Bain will provide some much-needed experience of the Ligue 1 landscape, and they won four of their five final pre-season friendlies ahead of Sunday's opener.

Lille and Auxerre did lock horns in last season's Coupe de France third round, and Les Dogues ran out comfortable 3-1 winners on the day, but a much-changed XI will take to the field for the hosts this time around.

Lille pre-season form:
  • D
  • L
  • W

Auxerre pre-season form:
  • L
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W


Team News

Lille's Amadou Onana pictured on February 22, 2022© Reuters

Lille are set to be without Gabriel Gudmundsson and Timothy Weah for the opening weekend due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Amadou Onana is understood to be closing in on a move to Everton.

With Domagoj Bradaric also leaving for Salernitana, Ismaily should start at left-back after signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, with Tiago Djalo likely to partner Jose Fonte in the heart of the backline.

Jonas Martin will likely be Benjamin Andre's new midfield partner for the opening weekend, as Angel Gomes, Edon Zhegrova, Remy Cabella and Yusuf Yazici battle it out for starts in the wide areas.

Meanwhile, Auxerre have no players suspended for the opening day, but centre-back Theo Pellenard suffered a torn knee ligament in pre-season and will be out for a number of months.

Bain could therefore slot straight into the Auxerre defence in front of Costil, as captain Birama Toure anchors the midfield from their 4-1-4-1 formation.

Kays Ruiz-Atil will aim to reignite his embryonic career under Furlan after joining as a free agent, while the visitors' line should be led by Gaetan Charbonnier.

Lille possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Zedadka, Djalo, Fonte, Ismaily; Zhegrova, Martin, Andre, Bamba; David, Bayo

Auxerre possible starting lineup:
Costil; Pereira, Bain, Jubal, Bernard; Toure; Hein, Raveloson, Sakhi, Perrin; Charbonnier


SM words green background

We say: Lille 2-0 Auxerre

Lille's reshuffled defence may take a bit of time to gel with one another, but they should not be troubled by Auxerre this weekend, as Furlan's side experience a baptism of fire on their return to the big time.

The visitors may have got the better of Ligue 1 opposition in Saint-Etienne last season, but the Fonseca revolution ought to begin in winning fashion for Les Dogues here.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data


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Written by
Ben Knapton

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Game History

How you voted: Lille vs Auxerre

Lille
80.3%
Draw
14.8%
Auxerre
4.9%
61
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Renato Sanches in action for Lille in January 2022
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG14104037112634
2Marseille1492331171429
3MonacoMonaco1492324121229
4Lille1475224141026
5Lyon147432617925
6Nice146532617923
7Lens146531712523
8Auxerre146262121020
9Reims145452018219
10Toulouse145361516-118
11Brest145182026-616
12Rennes144281820-214
13NantesNantes143561620-414
14StrasbourgStrasbourg143562227-514
15Angers143471424-1013
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne144191132-2113
17Le HavreLe Havre1440101126-1512
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1422101336-238


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