Toulouse vs Lille Predictions

Toulouse currently sit 18th in Ligue 1 but due to the congested setup of the table at the moment they are just three points away from the upper half of the table. Nevertheless, Toulouse’s hierarchy didn’t deem this as acceptable nine games into the season and sacked manager Alain Casanova as a result. Experienced coach Antoine Kombouaré has joined but he has a lot to prove as his last three jobs spanning six years have seen him muster up an average win percentage of just 33%. 

He inherits a Toulouse side without a competitive win in their last five matches despite facing extremely beatable teams like Metz (2-2), Bordeaux (1-3) and an out-of-form Saint-Étienne. Toulouse have done okay in attack with five goals scored in their last five but their defence has been the killer for them this season. Toulouse currently have the worst xGA in the league with chances conceded amounting to 15.18. They have conceded 15 actual goals which is drawn for the second worst tally in the league and a defeat in this match would make it three home losses in a row. 

Lille will be Toulouse’s opponents for this one but les Dogues haven’t really got going this season despite finishing 2nd in 2018/19. They have had some very winnable games in recent weeks like their draws with Nîmes (2-2), Nice (1-1) and Rennes (1-1) but have failed to show that cutting edge that was so prevalent last season. This year they have had to cope with the burden of the Champions League and this has been pretty evident in their form so far as they have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions. 

Lille have been pretty consistent with their scoring as they have the third best xG in the league and nine goals in their last seven games but just the one clean sheet in this time is pretty unacceptable for a team with their ambitions. Lille are winless in their last five away games and will really need to be on their ‘A’ game if they want to surpass Toulouse. 

Antoine Kombouaré’s teams have never been famed for their attacking prowess but we’re backing them to score here against a Lille side with just one clean sheet in their last ten away games. Toulouse have scored in nine of their last twelve home matches but they have conceded a dozen in their last six games at the Stadium Municipal. Neither team are in great form and while Lille have the better squad, they are awful on the road. Toulouse are sure to be fired up with the new manager so we’re backing this one to end 1-1.