Aiming to bounce back following defeat last weekend, Toulouse will welcome Europa League contenders Lyon to Stadium de Toulouse on Sunday afternoon for an intriguing-looking Ligue 1 clash.

Le Tefece were defeated on their top-flight travels last time out, whilst Les Gones have been busy on their continental adventures this week.

Match preview

Finishing 11th in the 2023-24 Ligue 1 standings - the club's highest placement since the 2013-14 term - there is plenty of expectation on Toulouse to rise to the upper echelons of the French top flight this time around, although Sunday's visitors have endured a tricky start to the schedule.

Le Tefece had to wait patiently for their maiden win of the campaign, beating strugglers Le Havre 2-0 at Stadium de Toulouse on September 15, but Les Violets were unable to make it back-to-back successes as they suffered a 2-0 loss at Champions League outfit Brest last Sunday.

During a contest in which Toulouse dominated proceedings in terms of possession and chances created, it was two sucker punches either side of the half-time whistle which dealt the visitors deadly blows, with Mama Balde and Romain Faivre both finding the back of Guillaume Restes's net.

Scoring just four times during their opening five Ligue 1 matches of the season, only basement dwellers Saint-Etienne (1) and Angers (3) have netted on fewer occasions than Le Tefece so far, with Sunday's hosts missing the abilities of Thijs Dallinga, who moved to Serie A challengers Bologna over the summer.

Signing an extension to his deal at the club earlier in the month, Spanish head coach Carles Martinez has the faith of the Toulouse board after guiding his side into the knockout stages of the Europa League last campaign, with the 40-year-old still in the developmental stage of his managerial career.

Placing sixth in Ligue 1 last term, Lyon clinched a spot in the League Phase of UEFA's second-tier club competition, and the side's quest for success in the revamped Europa League commenced with a two-goal victory over Greek giants Olympiacos on Thursday night at Groupama Stadium.

Following a goalless first half, the contest burst into life in the favour of the hosts, with Les Gones attacking duo Rayan Cherki and Said Benrahma breaching the net of Konstantinos Tzolakis, meaning that Pierre Sage's troops are early frontrunners in the 36-team table.

A win on the continental stage was just what the doctor ordered for the 45-year-old head coach, who is beginning to receive criticism as his troops endure a difficult start to their domestic schedule, winning one and losing three of their first five matches in the 2024-25 Ligue 1 calendar.

A return of six goals from five matches is rather low for a side boasting the striking armoury of Les Gones, with Georgian hero Georges Mikautadze, former Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette and Gift Orban all top options at this level for sitting at the focal point of the forward line.

Lyon have an extraordinary record against Toulouse over the past decade, as the Les Gones are unbeaten in their last 16 meetings across all competitions, with Le Tefece's most recent success against Sunday's visitors coming all the way back in August 2014, when Wissam Ben Yedder was on the scoresheet in a 2-1 victory.

Team News

After missing a penalty in the defeat at Brest last weekend, Zakaria Aboukhlal could drop out of the Toulouse XI for the match on Sunday afternoon.

As a result, the likes of Joshua King and Frank Magri will be fancying their chances of making the team, with the pair yet to score in seven combined appearances so far this season.

Lyon remain without the services of centre-back Moussa Niakhate, who is expected back in a few weeks following a muscle injury sustained earlier this month.

Earning his first start since returning from injury, Ernest Nuamah impressed for Lyon in the Europa League on Thursday night and could retain his spot for the weekend.

Goalscorer Benrahma has recently bemoaned his lack of playing time this season, and we expect that theme to continue in Ligue 1 as Corentin Tolisso and Cherki support Nemanja Matic in midfield once again.

Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Restes; Sidibe, Nicolaisen, Cresswell, Suazo; Akdag, Sierro, Zajc; Gboho, Babicka, King

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Perri; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Caleta-Car, Tagliafico; Tolisso, Matic, Cherki; Fofana, Nuamah, Lacazette

We say: Toulouse 1-2 Lyon

Winning just one of their opening five matches, Toulouse are struggling to reach the heights that they managed last term, and we expect that storyline to strengthen on Sunday.

Lyon are getting a number of key attacking players back to full fitness and should be confident of recording consecutive wins to conclude a productive week.


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