Form and Line-up Toulouse
Toulouse are currently struggling defensively, but not throughout the whole season. There was a 2:1 win over Strasbourg, followed by a 2:2 draw with Monaco, and before that two defeats against Lens and a heavy loss to Lille. At home the picture over the season is much steadier, though still far from perfect: across 16 matches there have been five wins, six draws and five defeats with a goal difference of 23:23.
Key numbers for Toulouse:
41.79 xG for the season against 41.41 xGA – attack and defence in terms of expected goals are almost exactly in balance.
In four of their last six matches (including the cup) the home team have lost.
Yann Gboho is the team’s top scorer with eight goals from 5.81 xG.
Probable Toulouse line-up (4-3-3)
Guillaume Restes – Charlie Cresswell, Mark McKenzie, Dayan Metali, Rasmus Nicolaisen – Pape Demba Diop, Cristian Casseres Jr, Aron Donnum – Jacen Russell-Rowe, Yann Gboho, Santiago Hidalgo.
Absentees: Mario Sauer – suspension. Abu Francis – recovering from a leg injury, doubtful. Rafik Messali – ankle injury. Frank Magri – knee injury. Alexis Vossah – doubtful.
Form and Line-up Olympique Lyon
Olympique Lyon have reached the decisive rounds in perfect condition. Over the last five matches there have been four wins and a 0:0 draw with Angers, with 11 goals scored and five conceded. The win over Rennes (4:2) in a recent round is especially important in context, as it pulled the team clear of the chasing pack and consolidated third place ahead of the run-in.
Key numbers for Olympique Lyon:
46.10 xG for the season against 41.22 xGA – a plus of 4.88 on expected goal difference.
Pavel Sulc is the team’s top scorer with 11 goals and three assists from 6.99 xG.
Four wins in the last four league matches.
Probable Olympique Lyon line-up (4-2-3-1)
Dominik Greif – Abner Vinicius, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakhate, Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Corentin Tolisso, Tyler Morton – Afonso Moreira, Khalis Merah, Endrick – Roman Yaremchuk.
Absentees: Orel Mangala – injury. Remi Ember and Tanner Tessmann – doubtful.
