Lille to labour to slender win over Toulouse
Free scoring (and conceding) Lille welcome Toulouse to the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq for the Saturday night kick-off in Ligue 1. The hosts have a combined tally of 29 already this term, which the 7-1 thrashing by PSG a few weeks ago is only a small part of. The visitors have tread water since being promoted from the second tier, and their deficiencies in the final third could be exposed by Les Dogues. Read our preview here:
David delivers, delivers, delivers
Though Paulo Fonseca's charges did fall to a narrow defeat at Marseille to keep up their LWLWL pattern, they were impressive in spite of the result. He is unlikely to make wholesale changes back on home turf, though will be without Tiago Djaló as the Portuguese defender has already accumulated four bookings in the league. Rémy Cabella remains a fitness doubt, so the majority of the work in the final third will be squarely placed on Jonathan David's shoulders. Having spent a significant portion of his time on the right of the trio in a 4-2-3-1, the Canadian star could be deployed through the middle at the weekend. He already has four strikes to his name in 2022/2023, and will naturally be hoping Les Violets are accommodating at the back as the World Cup in Qatar draws ever closer.
Business is Boomen
Well-travelled head coach Philippe Montanier's men have held their own in the top tier since being crowned champions, having accrued eight points from seven fixtures. Former Milton Keynes Dons striker Rhys Healey has found a new niche since making the city in Occitania his home two years ago, firing the goals to help them to that promotion back to the big time. He will however have to watch his teammates from the sidelines at the weekend, owing to injury. They have struggled to compensate for his absence up top, with Dutch replacement Thijs Dallinga managing two early on but with four consecutive blanks. In midfield, compatriot Branco van den Boomen roams from his double pivot position to set up chances in the final third and more often than not, try a shot himself. He has two assists thus far, but will do well to emulate anything like the league record 21 he managed last season along with 12 goals.
Betting tip
bet365 have odds of 9.00 for a 1-0 win for Lille.
