Mid-table Toulouse don ready to play spoiler for Lyon Champions League dream when dem meet for Stadium de Toulouse on Sunday evening for Ligue 1. While the hosts dey finish di campaign with no pressure after securing dia top-flight status, OL know say victory go move dem one step closer to automatic Champions League qualification heading into di final weekend.
Toulouse appear to dey end di season on a more positive note after suffering for spring period wey nearly drag dem into di bottom-half battle. Carles Martinez Novell side produce an impressive comeback victory away to Strasbourg last weekend, recovering from behind to win 2-1 and extend dia unbeaten run to two matches after a 2-2 draw with Monaco.
But home form remain a concern for Les Violets, as dem don win only one of dia last five Ligue 1 matches for Stadium de Toulouse. Dem dey struggle for attacking consistency after failing to score for six of dia previous 11 home league fixtures. Still, Toulouse fit take confidence from di reverse fixture earlier dis season, when dem shock Lyon with a 2-1 away victory, and dem now dey aim to complete a first league double over Les Gones since 1965-66 campaign.
Lyon, on di other hand, don rediscover form at di right moment for di season. Paulo Fonseca men make am four straight Ligue 1 victories after defeating Rennes 4-2 last weekend, following wins over Auxerre, Paris Saint-Germain and Lorient. Dat resurgence don lift Les Gones into di automatic Champions League qualification places heading into di penultimate round, putting dem in control of dia own destiny for di race for a top-three finish.
Di attacking improvement don be particularly notable, with Lyon scoring 11 goals across dia last four league matches, as Endrick don become increasingly influential in attack after another standout display against Rennes. Despite dia strong momentum, away form still dey present a slight concern, with OL managing just one victory across dia last six competitive away matches, although dat sole success come for an impressive 2-1 triumph away to Paris Saint-Germain.
For injuries, Toulouse get Alexis Vossah and Romain Faivre wey both leave di pitch during di victory over Strasbourg. Mario Sauer dey suspended, Abu Francis and Rafik Messali remain sidelined with ankle injuries, while Frank Magri no dey available due to a knee issue, and Fredrik Oppegard go be assessed before kickoff. Lyon, meanwhile, remain without Remi Himbert because of an ankle injury, while Orel Mangala also dey sidelined with a knock. Khalis Merah and Tyler Morton both dey doubts after picking up injuries for di victory against Rennes, although Fonseca dey hopeful say at least one of di pair fit recover in time.
Toulouse show signs of improvement in recent weeks and fit still make life uncomfortable for Lyon, especially given di visitors’ mixed away form. However, Lyon arrive with momentum, confidence and far greater motivation as dem dey chase automatic Champions League qualification. With dia attack firing again at di perfect time, Les Gones suppose get enough quality to edge a competitive contest for southern France.
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