- Lyon have won 10 of their 14 home league games, conceding an average of only 0.71 goals per game.
- Auxerre are winless in their last three away matches (D2, L1) averaging just 0.80 goals per away game in Ligue 1.
Free-flowing hosts to test the visitors’ resolve
Olympique Lyonnais have hit form at just the right time in the league, with Paulo Fonseca’s side now firmly in the battle for the top three places in Ligue 1 with 54 points from 30 matches, in third place. Lyon have won their last two competitive matches, first beating Lorient 2-0 at home before securing an impressive 2-1 victory away to Paris Saint-Germain, in their most recent outing. For those interested in the Olympique Lyonnais vs A.J. Auxerre prediction, recent form suggests Lyon are strong favorites.
The home team’s last three competitive home matches haven’t been easy, but they have won one and lost two. Endrick has been the engine of Lyon’s success, providing three assists in their last five competitive matches. However, in Pavel Sulc, Fonseca’s men have a constant threat in the final third, with the Czech forward leading Lyon’s goalscoring charts this term with 10 goals from 23 appearances in Ligue 1.
Visiting Auxerre are having a much more difficult time in the French top-flight, with Christophe Pelissier’s men sat in 16th with just 25 points from their 30 Ligue 1 matches, battling to avoid relegation danger. Auxerre have drawn their last three in all competitions, most recently at Monaco (2-2), and they’ve won just one of their last five matches. This Olympique Lyonnais vs A.J. Auxerre preview highlights the different trajectories both teams are on heading into the fixture.
A classic possession vs structure clash
Auxerre are a compact and pragmatic outfit, with a marked emphasis on organisation and defensive unity, with Pelissier’s side often looking to counter-attack in transitions or from set pieces. Lyon are a different proposition altogether, their fluid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system is heavily geared towards aggressive pressing, possession domination, and attacking play in vertical transition.
Bryan Okoh has netted two of Auxerre's last six goals and leads the front line for the visitors, while the prolific Lassine Sinayoko leads the goalscoring for the Burgundy club with eight goals in 28 Ligue 1 games.
Four months ago, Lyon and Auxerre faced off in Ligue 1 in a 0-0 draw in the Burgundy region, but there’s an air of confidence about the hosts this time around. Our Olympique Lyonnais vs A.J. Auxerre prediction is that Lyon have a far superior record in Ligue 1, are far superior at home and enter the weekend on the back of a two-match winning streak, so they will take all three points from Saturday’s game.
For punters, these Olympique Lyonnais vs A.J. Auxerre betting tips suggest Lyon to win and both teams to score is my selection for the fixture, with a predicted score of 2-1 to the home side. Lyon can dominate possession and win the game at both ends of the field, but Auxerre are solid enough to score a goal.
