Ligue 1 preview – Lille LOSC vs FC Lorient
Defending Champions Lille LOSC take on FC Lorient at Stade Lille-Metropole on September 24, 2011, in the 8th week of the 2011/12 Ligue 1 Championelle.
Lille LOSC
Lille have not had a champion’s start this season as they have only won three games and drawn three in the seven league games played so far. Following their 0-1 loss in the second week to Montpellier Herault SC, Lille came back strongly by winning three
consecutive games, including a 3-2 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127.
The 2010/11 Ligue 1 champions could not maintain the momentum and drew their last two league games with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Sochaux-Montbéliard-c39217 and Girondins de Bordeaux. In their last game against Les Girondins, despite their dominance in the game, Lille could not score
more than one goal.
Lille also conceded a draw in the opening game of the UEFA Champions League against CSKA Moscow. Les Dogues coach Rudi Garcia believes that injuries and suspensions are the reasons for the downward trend in the team’s performance.
The French tactician is desperate for a win in the next game against FC Lorient and was quoted saying, “The thing that drives me every day is to approach the next match in the best possible shape.”
Garcia further added that the team would be fully focused on the game against Les Merlus and will not be distracted because of the UEFA Champions League game against Trabzonspor AS on Tuesday September 27, 2011.
FC Lorient
Lorient are seventh in Ligue 1 standings and have the same points as Lille. Le FCL had an excellent start to their 2011/12 Ligue 1 campaign, beating title favourites Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.
The Morbihan-based club are unbeaten in their last five games. With three wins and two draws, Les Merlus appear to be in splendid form this season.
Lorient come from a draw in their last game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/AJ-Auxerre-c38247. Although they managed to score the first goal in the 23rd minute of the game, the Brittany club could not maintain their lead for long as the visitors equalised in the second half.
Le FCL have only lost once in the Championnat and a win against defending champions will boost the morale of Les Merlus, giving them a good chance to enter in the top 5 of the Ligue 1 standings.
In an interview, Lorient midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arnold-Mvuemba-c6641 revealed that he is confident that they will be able to produce a good result over the reigning champions. The former Portsmouth man was quoted saying, “It's been a while since we lost. Our last defeat was
in Dijon. We haven’t lost at home and we can get a good result in Lille.”
Team News
Lille LOSC
According to reports from the Lille camp, Les Dogues Rudi Garcia is expected to rest a couple of players for the midweek UEFA Champions League clash against Turkish side http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Eden-Hazard-c11863 are top of the list. Defender Aurelien Chedjou
is doubtful due to injury.
FC Lorient
A few injuries were reported from Lorient camp. Defender http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Julien-Quercia-c19945 will also not feature in the game against Lille following an ankle injury.
Prediction
Lille have an excellent offence and with home advantage Les Dogues will be able to win after a close combat between the two sides.
Predicted final score: Lille LOSC 1-0 http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Lorient-c39153
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