With five points separating the two sides in the Ligue 1 table, Sunday's clash between Lille and Lorient looks destined to have a big impact on the race for European football.
Boasting a 13-game unbeaten run on home soil, Paulo Fonseca's men will be hopeful of extending their hot streak when Les Merlus visit the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Match preview
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Lille set themselves up for a strong end to the season by notching a four-match unbeaten run prior to the international break, taking eight points from a possible 12 to cement sixth place in the table.
After defeating Brest, Les Dogues recorded back-to-back draws with Lens and Lyon before claiming a 2-0 victory over Toulouse, with Alexsandro and Mohamed Bayo both scoring after the 85th minute last time out.
Thanks to the triumphs over Brest and Toulouse, Paulo Fonseca's men have now won four of their last seven league outings, scoring at least two goals in each of those victories.
Better still, Lille have lost just two of their previous 15 Ligue 1 games, picking up seven wins and six draws along the way, while they have also avoided defeat in each of their last 11 home matches in the league.
Having last tasted defeat at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy all the way back in August – securing seven wins and four draws since then – LOSC will be confident of enhancing the division's fourth-best home record this weekend.
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When Lorient kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign with a run of eight wins across the first 10 matches, it looked as though the Brittany outfit would go on to enjoy a remarkable season, but a lot has changed since then.
Indeed, Les Merlus have managed to win just four of their 18 league games following that run, recording seven draws and seven losses to highlight their inconsistency in recent months.
It is worth remembering that Lorient claimed a 2-1 win over Lille back in October, notching a fifth successive victory in the process, but there is no hiding the fact that Regis Le Bris's men have struggled to find a rhythm since then.
Although Lorient return to action on a three-match unbeaten run – having taken five points from a possible nine in the lead-up to the international break – they have only managed to win two of their previous eight league outings.
Lorient have also failed to win any of their last five away games, with defeats at Marseille, Reims and Nantes preceding draws against Lyon and Nice, so they could struggle to turn the tide against a Lille outfit with an outstanding home record.
Team News
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Lille look set to be without Bafode Diakite, Tiago Djalo and Ismaily this weekend, although the club's injury list has shortened in recent weeks.
Having missed USA's recent matches against Grenada and El Salvador due to the concussion protocol, Timothy Weah is also a doubt for Sunday's clash.
Jonathan David has netted seven goals across his past six league outings, including a hat-trick against Lyon, and the Canada international will go in search of his 20th Ligue 1 goal of the campaign this weekend.
As for Lorient, Igor Silva is suspended after picking up a red card against Nice last time out, while Bonke Innocent, Gedeon Kalulu, Julien Laporte and Yvon Mvogo are all expected to miss Sunday's showdown due to injury.
Following Dango Ouattara's transfer to Premier League side Bournemouth, Lorient now rely heavily on Enzo Le Fee, who has bagged five goals and five assists in all competitions this term.
Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Yoro, Fonte, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Gomes, Gomes; Ounas, Cabella, Bamba; David
Lorient possible starting lineup:
Mannone; Wackers, Meite, Talbi, Le Goff; Abergel; Faivre, Le Fee, Makengo, Le Bris; Dieng
We say: Lille 3-1 Lorient
Having won seven of their last 11 league games at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille look set to secure another home victory over Lorient, who have failed to win any of their previous five matches on the road.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
