This Friday, the new French Ligue 1 championship starts. The opening match of the tournament will be played in Lyon, where the local team of the same name will host the newcomer of the elite league "Ajaccio".
"Lyon"
In the last championship, the "weavers" took a modest 8th place for themselves. This football year, Peter Bosa's team is determined to fight even for the championship, as it will not have to play in European competitions, which will save a lot of effort. In the off-season, Lyon was strengthened by several experienced high-level performers, such as Rio, Tagliafico, Tolisso and Lacazette. In the test matches, the Lyons scored 4 wins in eight matches, losing three times. Last Saturday they drew with Inter Milan (2-2).
"Ajaccio"
"Ajaccio" at the end of last season got a direct ticket to the elite league, taking second place in the Ligue 2 championship, 1 point ahead of Auxerre. Olivier Pantaloni's team conceded only 19 goals – that is, an average of half a goal per game. In the offseason, the Bears retained their backbone by signing several recruits to strengthen the competition. In the test matches "Ajaccio" with not the strongest opponents won only once in four meetings, losing 2 times. Last weekend, Pantaloni's team drew with Lorient (1:1).
Statistics and figures
- Lyon has an 8-match unbeaten streak (5 wins + 3 losses);
- In the last eight matches of Lyon, the Total bet was more than 2.5;
- Lyon has a 3-match winning streak at home, scoring at least three goals in each of them;
- Lyon beat Ajaccio 3 times in the last five head-to-head matches, but lost twice;
- Ajaccio has a 10-match unbeaten streak (7 wins + 3 draws);
- Ajaccio became the most boring team in Ligue 2 last season – an average of 1.53 goals per game were scored in matches with his participation;
- Ajaccio has a 7-match unbeaten away streak (4 wins + 3 draws), conceding only 1 goal in them.
Forecasts
Ajaccio will play in the away match in the traditional style – park the bus at their gates. It will not be easy for Lyon to shake up the opponent's massive defensive formations at the beginning of the season, when not all the players are in proper competitive tone yet. But a big advantage in the class will still allow the "weavers" to take the necessary 3 points.