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Lyon
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 3
Aug 19, 2022 at 8pm UK
Stade de Gerland
Troyes
Lyon
4 - 1
Troyes
Lacazette (3'), Tagliafico (46'), Tete (49', 75')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Tardieu (39' pen.)
Kouame (51')

Preview: Lyon vs. Troyes - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Friday's Ligue 1 clash between Lyon and Troyes, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Having enjoyed the luxury of a two-week break from competitive action, Lyon play their second Ligue 1 game of the season against Troyes at the Groupama Stadium on Friday evening.

Les Gones' proposed clash with Lorient at the weekend was postponed, while the visitors went down 3-0 to newly-promoted Toulouse.


Match preview

Lyon coach Peter Bosz on April 7, 2022© Reuters

With soaring temperatures and drought gripping the continent, not even top-flight football is safe from the effects of the prolonged heat, as Lyon's showdown with Lorient at the Stade du Moustoir was postponed due to an unplayable pitch.

Peter Bosz's side have therefore had a whole fortnight to reflect on and analyse their opening 2-1 success over newly-promoted Ajaccio on matchday one, where Anthony Lopes's sending off certainly complicated matters for Les Gones.

Nevertheless, the returning Alexandre Lacazette came up with a goal and assist to help get his side over the line - laying the ball on a plate for Tete to fire home before netting from the spot - and the 10 men of Lyon held on after Thomas Mangani scored from 12 yards himself.

The postponement of the trip to Lorient means that four of Lyon's opening five Ligue 1 fixtures will take place at their headquarters, which is just what the doctor ordered for Bosz as he attempts to cement his position in the hotseat and quieten any alleged murmurs of discontent from the Lyon squad over his tactics.

Victory over Ajaccio made it five Ligue 1 home wins on the bounce for Lyon, during which time they have scored 19 goals but failed to keep a single clean sheet, and the absence of their first-choice shot-stopper will do them no favours on the defensive front.

Troyes' Yoann Touzghar celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on February 27, 2022© Reuters

While Troyes managed to give Montpellier HSC a real run for their money in the opening weekend, ESTAC were simply torn to shreds by Toulouse last time out, as the home crowd at the Stade de l'Aube witnessed a 3-0 defeat unfold before them.

Yasser Larouci's own goal broke the deadlock in the first half before Rafael Ratao was on hand to tap home and double Toulouse's lead in the 54th minute, and substitute Rhys Healey put the cherry on the icing on the cake with a stunning solo effort in the dying embers.

After successfully salvaging their Ligue 1 status last term, the objective for Bruno Irles and his side is exactly the same this time around, but an opening pair of defeats leaves ESTAC below the dotted line at this embryonic stage.

Reading too much into the rankings after two games would be an act of folly, but Troyes are one of several sides sure to be concerned about the prospect of four teams being relegated from this year's top flight, as the league prepares to cut down to 18 clubs from 2023 onwards.

The visitors' winless run in Ligue 1 now stands at five matches before a taxing trip to Lyon's base, and Les Gones have won each of their last nine against Troyes in all competitions, including a 3-1 success in this fixture last season.

Lyon Ligue 1 form:
  • W

Troyes Ligue 1 form:
  • L
  • L


Team News

Lyon midfielder Houssem Aouar pictured on January 9, 2021© Reuters

Lyon number one Anthony Lopes begins a three-game ban this week after his sending off against Ajaccio, leaving Remy Riou to deputise as the last line of defence on matchday two.

Maxence Caqueret made his return to training last week following an ankle injury and could therefore come straight back into the starting lineup in place of Houssem Aouar, who is understood to be on the verge of a move to Nottingham Forest.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Moussa Dembele and Romain Faivre are more doubtful for the contest, and Lacazette should be fine to lead the line and wear the armband after complaining of calf discomfort last week.

As for Troyes, the duo of Adil Rami and Tristan Dingome were both fit enough to come on as substitutes in the defeat to Toulouse, but Abdu Conte's muscular problem is still giving him grief.

Irles ought to consider fielding the experienced Rami from the first whistle on Friday night, potentially in place of Jackson Porozo, who did not even last an hour on matchday two.

Right-back Thierno Balde is also on standby after Andreas Bruus came off with a knock last time out, and former Chelsea youngster Ike Ugbo will battle Mama Balde for the number nine spot.

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Riou; Gusto, Mendes, Lukeba, Tagliafico; Paqueta, Lepenant, Caqueret; Tete, Lacazette, Toko Ekambi

Troyes possible starting lineup:
Gallon; Balde, Palmer-Brown, Rami, Salmier, Larouci; Ripart, Kouame, Tardieu, Chavalerin; Ugbo


SM words green background

We say: Lyon 3-1 Troyes

Lyon are certainly prone to the odd defensive error, and Troyes should fancy their chances of experiencing some joy in front of goal with Lopes stuck on the naughty step.

However, a consolation strike will likely be the only thing the travelling support have to cheer, as Bosz's abundance of goal-getters should propel Les Gones to a straightforward second win of the season.

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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Game History

How you voted: Lyon vs Troyes

Lyon
88.2%
Draw
7.6%
Troyes
4.2%
119
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG26178162233959
2Brest26138536201647
3MonacoMonaco26137647361146
4Lille261110537231443
5Nice2612772720743
6Lens2612683527842
7Marseille26109740281239
8Rennes2610974031939
9Reims26115103435-138
10Lyon26104123040-1034
11Toulouse2678112936-729
12StrasbourgStrasbourg2678112839-1129
13Le HavreLe Havre2669112633-727
14Montpellier HSCMontpellier2669113140-926
15Lorient2668123549-1426
16NantesNantes2674152441-1725
17Metz2665152339-1623
18Clermont2648141943-2420

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