Auxerre is set to host Lille at the Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps on Saturday afternoon for their Ligue 1 matchday 16 fixture. As Auxerre fights to improve its chances of avoiding relegation, Lille aims to solidify its position among the title contenders and secure a Champions League spot.
Coming off a much-needed 3-1 victory against Metz, Auxerre finds itself in a precarious position, sitting 16th in the table. It was their first win in ten league games, dating back to September 21 when they last secured three points against Toulouse. Under the guidance of Christophe Pelissier, Auxerre has recorded only three wins this season, accompanied by nine losses, raising the pressure on the manager to deliver results. The team’s struggle to find the back of the net is evident, with only 11 goals scored in 15 matches, the lowest in the league.
Historically, Auxerre has faced substantial challenges against Lille, having not won in their past 12 encounters. Their last victory over Lille came in October 2013 during the Coupe de la Ligue. Since rejoining Ligue 1 in 2022, Auxerre has garnered only two points from their last four matches against Lille, highlighting a daunting trend. Notably, last season, a crucial moment saw Auxerre reduced to ten men, yet they managed to secure a draw thanks to a missed penalty.
On the flip side, Lille, sitting fourth in the standings, has been in impressive form, winning four of their last six league games. Despite a setback in the Europa League, their offense remains potent, scored an impressive 29 goals in 15 league matches. With a strong defensive record, allowing just 139 attempts on goal, they are well-positioned to capitalize on Auxerre’s struggles.
In terms of team news, Auxerre may be without forward Ibrahim Osman, who is a concern due to an injury. However, given the significance of their recent victory, Pelissier is likely to maintain the same lineup against a confident Lille. Lille’s manager, Bruno Genesio, will be without key players like Hamza Igamane due to injury, but veteran striker Olivier Giroud will be expected to lead the attack alongside Hakon Haraldsson and Felix Correia.
As both teams aim for critical points, the match is anticipated to be fiercely contested. While Auxerre seeks to build on their recent victory and regain form, Lille is favored to continue their strong run with a predicted narrow win. Fans can expect an engaging encounter as the teams head into the winter break, with Lille’s individual flair giving them the edge in this pivotal clash.