Toulouse vs Lyon Preview: Team News & Prediction
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A new era has begun at Stadium de Toulouse with Toulouse beginning their campaign against Olympique Lyonnais on the opening day of the season.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / USA – beIN Sports Connect
Toulouse preview: Moving on
After almost half a decade in charge, Spanish coach Carlos Martinez Novell has since departed Toulouse after repeated frustrating mid-table finishes. He has been replaced by Jens Berthel Askou in the dugout after he led Motherwell to UEFA Europa Conference League qualification from the Scottish Premiership last season.
Toulouse have endured a seemingly very difficult summer transfer window, too. Emersonn was sold to Ipswich Town before Dayann Methalie moved to Sunderland and rumours remain around the futures of Guillame Restes, Charlie Cresswell and Santiago Hidalgo.
Lyon preview: Competitive again
Since the departure and breakaway from the ownership of John Textor, Olympique Lyonnais have been able to streamline things and they performed well to qualify for the UEFA Champions League last season. They shared a 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce in Istanbul in midweek in the play-off round of that competition.
Paulo Fonseca remains in the dugout at Parc OL and they have made some encouraging moves in the summer transfer window, the headline being the arrival of Lois Openda, previously prolific for Lens in Ligue 1, on loan from Juventus.
Toulouse team news: Couple of suspensions
Subject of interest from Premier League side Sunderland, defender Dayann Methalie begins the season missing through suspension alongside midfielder Alexis Vossah, while Rafik Messali recovers from a hamstring injury sustained in pre-season.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Restes; Nicolaisen, McKenzie, Koumbassa, Tape; Sauer, Cristian Casseres Jr; Vignolo, Saka, Gboho; Santiago Hidalgo
Unavailable: Methalie (Suspended), Vossah (Suspended)
Questionable: Messali (Injured)
Lyon team news: UCL distraction
Lyon may well rotate here, or at least think about it, ahead of their second-leg against Fenerbahce. In terms of injuries, Nicolas Tagliafico, Khalis Merah and Pavel Sulc are all doubtful ahead of the trip to Toulouse.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Greif; Maitland-Niles, Kluivert, Niakhate, Abner; Tolisso, Tessmann, Morton; Nuamah, Openda, Fofana
Unavailable:
Questionable: Tagliafico (Injured), Merah (Injured), Sulc (Injured)
Toulouse vs Lyon prediction
Lyon have been able to replace the immense and fairly stupid depth that they had with younger players making an impact across the squad. They will head to Toulouse in the midst of UEFA competition qualification, though, and so that will hand the initiative to Toulouse who can spring a surprise amid difficult pre-season expectations after the changes that they have experienced over the summer.
Toulouse vs Lyon tip: Double chance - Toulouse to win or draw
