Lille OSC vs. FC Sochaux- Mastiffs close to ending 57-year long title wait – Ligue 1 preview
Ligue 1 teams, Lille OSC and FC Sochaux, are due to meet on Wednesday, May 18 at Stadium Lille Metropole. The match holds immense importance not only for the involved clubs but also for second placed Olympique Marseille, who are just three points adrift
of the top spot. Sochaux would also fancy their chances of making it to the next season’s UEFA Europa League by winning at Lille.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lille-OSC-c39800
Rudi Garcia’s side are currently sitting pretty at the top of the table with 69 points and have played a game less than the second placed Marseille. Of the 35 games Lille have played in the campaign so far, Garcia’s side have secured victory in 19 of those
games. Their home record has been quite impressive, winning 11 while losing only once. The Mastiffs have been formidable both in front of goal and in defence. They have slammed in 62 goals while 32 have been scored against them.
LOSC have a maximum of 9 points up their sleeves including this fixture, and 3 points against Sochaux could well secure the title for the Mastiffs. Lille have been breathtaking in their last five games, winning four of the encounters while the remaining
game, against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Lorient-c39153, ended in a draw.
FC Sochaux
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francis-c13946 Gillot’s side are sixth in the League table with 52 points and would desperately want to win in order to stay in the race for a UEFA Europa League. Of the 15 wins from their 35 matches, only four have come away from home to go along with the 10 losses.
Les Lionceaux have also been relatively impressive in front of the goal, scoring 55 times during the season as compared to 40 scored against them. In their last five games, Sochaux have been decent, notching up three wins to go along with two draws.
Team News
Lille OSC
The home team are likely to go in with a 4-3-3 formation. Moussa Sow, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jerry-Vandam-c18409 will be the only omission from an otherwise fit Lille outfit. Mickael Landreau will guard
the net for Garcia’s side.
FC Sochaux
Sochaux are also likely to go in with the same formation as of their opponents. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jacques-Faty-c17504
still remains a doubt for Gillot’s side.
Players to Watch
Lille would certainly rely upon the striking abilities of the Senegalese http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kevin-Gameiro-c20721. Both have 21 goals to their names. Sow would be looking to add to his tally which could
also lead his side to the Ligue 1 title after years and years of agonizing wait.
The visitors will have their hopes pinned upon their striker, Maiga, who has 14 goals this season. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mali-c2951 International will certainly look to increase his tally to keep his side in contention for a Europa League spot.
Prediction
Lille’s home form has been quite phenomenal and above all, Sochaux have not been able to record a win at Stadium Lille Metropole in their last eight visits. Keeping these odds in mind, the Mastiffs look favourites to record a 3-1 win at home.
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