Strasbourg vs Lorient Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Strasbourg vs Lorient on and what time does it start? Strasbourg vs Lorient will take place on Sunday 18th February, 2024 – 12:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Strasbourg vs Lorient? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Strasbourg vs Lorient on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Strasbourg vs Lorient
Where can I stream Strasbourg vs Lorient in the UK? If Strasbourg vs Lorient is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
STRASBOURG
There is a fair bit of unrest in Alsace with supporters deeply unhappy about the takeover of Strasbourg by BlueCo and Clearlake Capital, who also run and operate Chelsea. They have invested relatively heavily in the club but the identity is an issue for supporters as they sit firmly in the middle-of-the-table after 21 matches so far this season.
Coached by former Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira, who started his reign in charge of Strasbourg quite slowly, the home team come into this on the back of defeats to last season’s top two sides, Paris Saint-Germain and Lens. They are their only defeats in their last 11 matches across all competitions as they try and push towards the top six.
LORIENT
After finishing in the top-half of Ligue 1 last season as a result of reaping the benefits of off-the-field strategy on the pitch, Lorient have had supporter unrest this year with the takeover by Bill Foley, essentially making Lorient a feeder club of sorts to AFC Bournemouth, and they have been dragged down into a relegation battle.
However, still under the management of Regis Le Bris, they are showing some real fight and they come into this one on the back of back-to-back victories in the month of February. They firstly defeated fellow strugglers Metz by two goals to one before pulling off an impressive 2-0 defeat of Stade de Reims, last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
STRASBOURG
Patrick Vieira is dealing with several injury concerns as key attacking players such as Angelo Gabriel and Kevin Gameiro have joined the sidelines.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-1-1): Bellaarouch; Senaya, Perrin, Sylla, Guilbert; Bakwa, Mwanga, Sow, Delaine; Diarra; Emegha
UNAVAILABLE: Sissoko (Suspended), Angelo Gabriel (Injured), Sahi (Injured), Gameiro (Injured), Doukoure (Injured), Sebas (Injured), Mothiba (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LORIENT
Both Quentin Boisgard and former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy are missing due to injury, whilst Formose Mendy will be unavailable due to suspension.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Adjei, Talbi, Toure; Katseris, Abergel, Louza, Le Bris; Kari, Ponceau; Bamba
UNAVAILABLE: F. Mendy (Suspended), B. Mendy (Injured), Boisgard (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This one has the potential to be a surprisingly entertaining encounter on Sunday afternoon. Despite their recent defeats, those losses have come against strong teams and Strasbourg, at least on the pitch, do remain in a ‘good moment’ as a European football coach would say. Lorient are picking up points just in the nick of time and will be full of confidence for their trip to Strasbourg this weekend so both teams scoring, therefore, would appear a good bet for this one.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
