Lille will square off against Troyes on Sunday afternoon knowing that only a win will do if they want to remain competitive in the race for the European places.
At a time when the visitors sit in ninth position in the Ligue 1 standings, Troyes are in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
Having only recorded back-to-back wins in Ligue 1 on two occasions since November, Lille cannot currently claim that they deserve to still be in the running for the European spots.
Nevertheless, with six points the gap to fifth position with four matches remaining, Jocelyn Gourvennec will feel that his side can still achieve their minimum pre-season target against the odds.
Last weekend's 1-0 victory over Strasbourg was potentially crucial, Zeki Celik's 87th-minute goal moving Lille to within five points of opponents who now sit in sixth position.
The strike ended the club's four-match winless streak and a three-match run without success at Stade Pierre Mauroy, their results on home territory ultimately costing them this campaign.
While Lille end the season with games against three of the teams directly above them in the table, they must first claim maximum points at Stade de l'Aube.
© Reuters
There was a time not so long ago when Troyes appeared to be cantering towards survival, Bruno Irles's team putting together a four-match unbeaten streak in the top flight.
However, just one point has since come from a possible 12 - that draw coming against Strasbourg - and Irles knows that Sunday's game is arguably their most important of 2021-22.
A visit to Paris Saint-Germain follows their meeting with Lille, heaping the pressure on ESTAC to ensure that they do not suffer their fourth defeat in five outings on Sunday.
On a positive note, their home form has generally been good this season, even if they did suffer a late defeat against rivals Clermont in their last game on familiar territory.
Last weekend's 1-0 reverse at Nice also came courtesy of a goal in the closing minutes, and the most recent four strikes which Troyes have conceded have all come in the 56th minute or later.
- D
- W
- L
- D
- L
- L
- W
- D
- D
- L
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Having pushed Nice to the limit last weekend, Troyes could line up with the same starting lineup from that fixture.
Mama Balde comes back into contention after serving a one-match suspension, but he will only take his place on the substitutes' bench.
Ike Ugbo may get an outing in attack, although Yoann Touzghar is seemingly favourite after spending his longest period on the pitch in 2022 during the last game.
Gourvennec may also see little reason to make changes to his Lille XI on the back of such an important three points against Strasbourg.
While Angel Gomes was introduced as a second-half substitute during that fixture, the former Manchester United youngster is unlikely to dislodge Edon Zhegrova.
Xeka, Jonathan Bamba and Hatem Ben Arfa are all pushing for a return to the squad after their respective injuries.
Troyes possible starting lineup:
Moulin; Kabore, Biancone, Palmer-Brown, Kone, Conte; Ripart, Kouame, Tardieu, Chavalerin; Touzghar
Lille possible starting lineup:
Jardim; Celik, Fonte, Botman, Gudmundsson; Zhegrova, Andre, Sanches, Weah; David, Yilmaz
We say: Troyes 1-2 Lille
With neither team having particularly impressed in recent weeks, this has the makings of being a hard-fought contest. Nevertheless, there can be no doubting that Lille possess the superior quality, something which could shine through at a time when they need to take more risks going forward.
