Reims vs Lyon Predictions

• At least three goals have been scored in three of Reims’ last four home league matches
• At least three goals have been scored in three of Lyon’s last five Ligue 1 away trips
• Reims are unbeaten in their last seven home games against Lyon with three wins and four draws

Reims looking to make top four bid

Reims will attempt to leapfrog troubled Lyon in the Ligue 1 standings when they play host to the fifth-placed side at Stade Auguste-Delaune on Saturday.

Luka Elsner’s side made a fast start to the campaign, taking 14 points from the new coach’s opening seven games in charge, before suffering three straight defeats to Auxerre, Brest and Toulouse.

The Red and Whites returned to winning ways last time out, however, when they won 3-0 at Le Havre and they enter the next phase of league action in seventh place – only two points off the top four. With their Japanese duo of Keito Nakamura and Junya Ito coming back from international duty in good moods after impressing in World Cup qualifiers, they could pose Lyon serious problems.

Lyon’s focus turns from football to finances

Les Gones return from the international break with the club under threat of relegation unless they can clear debts of around 100m euros and that means players will already be on their phones to their agents.

Several top stars are expected to be sold to generate finances with the likes of Rayan Cherki and Malick Fofana expected to fetch decent amounts. It’s hard to recommend a bet on a team in Lyon’s situation because you just don’t know how the dressing room will react but there is a way into this evenly-poised contest.

Back over 2.5 goals in the game because at least three goals have been scored in three of Reims’ last four home league matches and also in three of Lyon’s last five Ligue 1 away trips. A 2-1 home win may come good for correct score bettors as Reims attempt to extend a seven-game home unbeaten streak against Lyon.