Lyon vs Guingamp Predictions

Lyon were on a five-match winning streak ahead of their clash with a Nice side who had just lost 4-0 to Lille but somehow the Eagles managed to edge the match 1-0. Nice have been fantastic at home this season but Lyon will ultimately be disappointed they couldn’t keep their momentum going, with their Champions League hosting of Barcelona just around the corner. Lyon had the lion’s share of the shots and corners but just couldn’t convert past the inspired Walter Benítez, who produced another fantastic performance. 

This result is quite worrying for Lyon as it was the first time in 13 matches that they had failed to score. They can’t let that get into their heads though and need to bounce back with a confident win here so they can approach the Barcelona match with a clear mind. Generally they have been so dominant going forward but their defence has held them back as they have kept just two clean sheets in their last nine games, not exactly the record of a side aiming to finish 2nd this season. Lyon did beat Guingamp just last week in the Coupe de France though so they know they have the ability to overcome Jocelyn Gourvennec’s side. However, it was a tight one that finished 2-1 so could the league’s bottom club build on that impressive performance to get a win here?

Guingamp have been on a pretty torrid run of results with three losses and a draw making up their last four games but these came against very good sides, with Lyon (3rd), Lille (2nd) and Reims (two points off of 4th) all appearing in this set of matches. Despite the rift in league position, they actually performed rather well in these games, despite the final results. The Monaco game was a particular highlight as they came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, eventually taking the game to penalties where they won to get to the final of the Coupe de la Ligue, where they have appeared a much better side than in their league performances. 

However, they face another tough challenge here against a Lyon side which they have lost to in each of their last four clashes. Guingamp have an okay away record though with four wins and just one loss in their last six games on the road. It appears that they don’t like playing in front of their own fans but that technique has brought them a lot of success this season. Lyon did beat PSG a few weeks ago at the Groupama but it generally hasn’t been much of a fortress for the Olympians this season. They have only won four of their last twelve games there; six of these matches have finished level and with Guingamp’s away record, we’re backing a 2-2 draw. The visitors have scored two goals in four of their last five away matches and with Lyon very average at home, a draw here is what we’re expecting. Lyon failed to thrash bottom of the table Guingamp a few weeks ago when they were the away team, where they have much more joy, so with this game at the Groupama we can see Guingamp grabbing a point.