The Matchday 7 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Liverpool (England) and Lille (France) will take place on January 21 at Anfield. Liverpool vs. Lille: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 17%.
Predicted lineups for Liverpool vs. Lille
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker – Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Ibrahima Konate – Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch – Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah – Luis Diaz.
Lille (4-2-3-1): Lucas Chevalier – Ismaily, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Bafodé Diakité, Aïssa Mandi – Andre Gomes, Benjamin Andre – Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Ayoub Bouaddi, Remy Cabella – Jonathan David.
Liverpool
The English club was the first to secure a spot in the Champions League playoffs. They now aim to progress directly to the Round of 16, needing just a draw in the upcoming match. The team has comfortably won all six group stage matches, initially overcoming two Serie A representatives, followed by two Bundesliga opponents, and then defeating two La Liga sides under Arne Slot's guidance. Notably, Liverpool has conceded only one goal in six matches, a feat matched only by Inter in this season's Champions League.
Defender Joseph Gomez is sidelined due to injury.
- The club has kept a clean sheet in five consecutive Champions League matches.
- The team has scored at least two goals in 10 of their last 13 games in this competition.
- A draw was the halftime result in 9 of Liverpool's last 11 home matches in this tournament.
Lille
The French side continues to delight their fans. In the last round, they defeated Sturm at home with a 3-2 victory. This marked their fourth win in the last five Champions League matches (also drawing with Juventus during this stretch). With 13 points, Lille remains among the top eight teams. Avoiding defeat in the upcoming match will guarantee them a spot in the Champions League playoffs.
Defenders Tiago Santos and Samuel Umtiti, midfielder Nabil Bentaleb, and forward Edon Zhegrova will miss the match due to injuries.
- Both teams have scored in 8 of Lille's last 11 games in this competition.
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 9 of Lille's last 12 matches in this tournament.
- In 20 previous away games in this competition, Lille has drawn only once (7 wins and 12 losses).
Liverpool vs. Lille: Match Prediction
Liverpool has already navigated the toughest matches of the group stage. In the remaining two rounds, they face Lille and PSV, and there is little doubt that Liverpool will secure their place in the Round of 16. I do not expect high intensity or maximum effort from Liverpool in this game, as even a draw would suffice for them. This could benefit the visitors, who are more motivated than the hosts.
For Arne Slot, it is more important to avoid new injuries and maintain the physical condition of his players. After all, Liverpool is striving for maximum results in four competitions simultaneously. With that in mind, I suggest a positive handicap for the visitors, who have not lost by a large margin in the Champions League for 20 matches. It is also worth noting that Liverpool has won by a margin of two or more goals only once in their last nine matches in this competition.
My prediction – Lille with a handicap (+2)
