Verdict: Lyon win
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Marking their return from November’s international break on Sunday afternoon, Lyon will travel to relegation scrappers Auxerre.
Auxerre
Starting with the hosts, while Auxerre might have sprung a real upset last season as they narrowly missed out on securing a top-half finish among France’s elite, Christophe Pelissier’s side have an almighty battle of their hands this time around. Last seen heading into November’s fortnight interval with a routine 2-0 loss away at Angers, the Whites sit rock-bottom of the Ligue 1 table and are rightfully installed as the landslide relegation contender this year. Signing off October with a 3-0 drumming against Strasbourg, the former Lorient boss has seen his downbeat squad lose all of their previous four consecutive Ligue 1 appearances by an aggregate score of 7-0. Likewise, along with gaining a reputation for their glaring struggles in the final third, Auxerre have also put just a single point on the board from any of their last seven consecutive top-flight matchups.
Auxerre Team News
While Ivory Coast international Sinaly Diomande might have missed out against Angers prior to November’s international break after serving a one-match suspension, the ex-Lyon defender will return to Pelissier’s squad here. Dealing with respective knee injuries, Auxerre will once again be without the duo of Nathan Buayi-Kiala and Telli Siwe this weekend.
Featuring for Ghana over the fortnight interval, former Strum Graz youngster Gideon Mensah could be handed a full recall. Completing a permanent switch from Watford over the summer, Francesco Sierralta will start at the heart of Auxerre’s defence.
Lyon
As for the visitors, while Lyon might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the 2025/26 campaign, Les Gones have largely come crashing back down to earth. Last seen heading into November’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 defeat at home against reigning Ligue 1 champions PSG, Paulo Fonseca’s men are seeking a much-welcomed boost here. Signing off October with a pulsating 3-3 stalemate against top-flight debutants Paris FC, Sunday’s guests have mustered just a single victory from any of their previous six consecutive Ligue 1 showdowns – a rut that stems back to September 28th. However, despite continuing to tumble their way down the table, Lyon should be smelling a real opportunity here. Landing a deserved 3-1 victory when they last travelled to Auxerre back on April 13th, the former Roma boss will be demanding a repeat display this weekend.
Lyon Team News
Shown a dramatic last-gasp red card against PSG prior to November’s fortnight interval, former Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico will serve a one-match suspension here. Both yet to feature this season and still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Lyon will be without the duo of Ernest Nuamah and ex-Nottingham Forest star Orel Mangala.
Despite only making a cameo appearance off the bench against the reigning Ligue 1 champions last time out, skipper Corentin Tolisso will be handed a full recall. Continuing to shine since completing a permanent summer switch from Liverpool, 23-year-old Tyler Morton will start in the middle of the park.
Auxerre vs Lyon Key Factors to Consider
- When Lyon last travelled to Auxerre back on April 13th, Les Gones collected a 3-1 victory.
- Lyon have recorded just a single victory from any of their previous six consecutive Ligue 1 appearances.
- Auxerre have lost all of their last four straight Ligue 1 showdowns by an aggregate score of 7-0.
- Sunday’s hosts have put just a single point on the board from any of their last seven top-flight appearances.
- Fonseca’s side have drawn consecutive blanks away from the Parc Olympique Lyonnais for the first time this calendar year.
Conclusion
Heading into November’s international break in the midst of what had become a public Ligue 1 rut, Lyon know the importance of dusting themselves down here. Seeking a much-welcomed domestic boost on Sunday afternoon, Les Gones should be relishing a trip to the Stade Abbe-Deschamps this weekend. With Auxerre losing all of their previous four consecutive appearances by an aggregate score of 7-0, Sunday’s hosts have also shown some glaring issues in the final third. Landing a 3-1 victory when they last travelled to the leading relegation candidates back in April, we are backing Fonseca’s camp to get their European charge back on track here.
Verdict: Lyon win
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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