Lille vs. Bastia predictions, betting tips and match preview

It’s always fairly tight when these two sides meet and a similar story is expected at Stade Pierre Mauroy on Saturday night.

The corresponding fixture finished 1-1 last term, however, it was Lille who edged matters 1-2 when the teams last met in Bastia, courtesy of goals from Ibrahim Amadou and Sofiane Boufal.

The latter, who netted 14 times in 2015/16, secured a move to Premier League Southampton in the summer and it’s clear already that Lille are missing his presence up front.

Rony Lopes, on loan from AS Monaco, is the only player to score more than once this term for Frederic Antonetti’s men who sit 18^th after just two wins from nine games played.

Les Dogues have in fact lost five of their last six Ligue 1 fixtures and although they won when last at Stade Pierre Mauroy, it was a scruffy 1-0 success over bottom club Nancy.

Nothing much bodes well then for the hosts from a form perspective ahead of Saturday’s fixture -although Bastia don’t have too much to shout about either.

Francois Ciccolini’s men are three points ahead of their opponents in 14^th but were turned over 1-2 by Angers at the weekend and have already lost three out of four matches on the road.

Like Lille who’ve scored just eight times all season, a distinct lack of goals seems the key feature of the current Bastia side who in truth have probably done well to secure 10 points after netting on just seven occasions.

It’s hard not to think that Saturday’s encounter may be a drab affair with two goal shy teams who are evidently lacking belief and confidence.

As such, not losing the game may be the priority for both bosses so we’ll take a draw at 13/5 coupled with a 0-0 correct score.