Lille entertain the Belarusian side at Grand Stade Lille Metropole in their first group game of the 2012/2013 Champions League campaign
Both sides will meet for the first time and Les Douges coach, Rudi Garcia, would want the best possible start from his side this time around.
The French outfit endured a miserable European campaign last year and were knocked out of the competition from the very first round.
LOSC Lille
The 2010/2011 champions of France have been unconvincing in the Ligue 1 this season with only a single win after five games.
And things aren’t looking good for the French club, with a number of players struggling with injuries at the moment. However, Rudi Garcia is confident that his side has what it takes to get all three points from their home game against the Belarus side on
Wednesday.
BATE Borisov
The reigning Belarusian Premier League champions will be participating in the Champions League for the third time in club’s history.
Team manager, Viktor Goncharenko, is aware of the threat posed by Lille, but is optimistic about his side’s chances against a team, who is not in the best of forms at the moment.
The Belarusian side doesn’t enjoy a good record in the Champions League and that is something, Goncharenko wants to change this time around.
Team News
LOSC Lille
Rudi Garcia has to deal with a number of issues in defence. Marko Basa and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Rozehnal-c10594 did not start the match against Troyes in the league last week, and are expected to miss the Champions League tie as well, after failing to return to full fitness.
This could provide left-back, Franck Beria, another opportunity to start alongside Aurelien Chedjou in Lille’s first match of the competition.
However, Lille captain, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rio-Mavuba-c31174 would be hoping to return to the starting eleven, after missing club’s previous game in the league.
And France international, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mathieu-Debuchy-c24682 is expected to start after returning from a month-long injury.
BATE Borisov
This will be a second visit to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Belarus-c2849 and France in the World Cup qualifier last week, and are expected to start for their
club against Rudi Garcia’s men on Wednesday.
Coach, Viktor Goncharenko will recall several first team players for the Champions League encounter after resting them in club’s last game.
Probable Line-ups
LOSC Lille
Landreau, Debuchy, Beria, Chedjou, Digne, Martin, Mavuba, Balmont, Payet, Roux, de Melo
BATE Borisov
Gorbunov, Radkov, Polyakov, Simic, Bordachev, Volodkov, Likhtarov, Sivakov, Hleb, Rodionov, Mozolevski
Players to watch
Rio Mavuba – LOSC Lille
The France international has been in fine form for club and country in recent time, and is expected to pose all kind of troubles for the visitors.
After impressing for Les Bleus under Didier Deschamps, the 28-year-old would want to do well in the Champions League this time around, and his contribution will be vital for his side in the crucial Champions League tie.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vitali-Rodionov-c36238 – BATE Borisov
With 28 international caps to his name, the 28-year-old has enough experience to do well at this level. The visiting side will rely heavily on their star striker, and Rodionov will cause Lille all kinds of trouble.
Match Prediction
Despite getting off to a slow start in the Ligue 1, Lille are favourites to win the match at Grand Stade Lille Metropole. BATE Borisov will cause the hosts a lot of trouble, but odds are in the favour of the French side to win this match.
Final Predicted Score: LOSC Lille 2-1 BATE Borisov
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