Clermont vs Lille Prediction & Betting Tips (28 December)

Author of a good start to the season as a whole, Clermont 10th then ran after a victory that never came before the break. The Auvergnats, who remain on a defeat in Lens 2-1 like all the teams having moved there, have not won any of their last 5 Ligue 1 matches 3 draws, 2 losses. They also failed to regain success in their 3 friendlies during the World Cup.

Pascal Gastien's players were defeated by Valencia 4-2 then they stood up to Valladolid 0-0 and completed their preparation with a new setback, against Sochaux 0-1.

On the Clermont side, the long-time injured Zeffane, who has only been able to play one game since joining the club this summer, is still too fair for a return. Globalists Seidu (Ghana) and Wieteska (Poland) have returned from Qatar and are expected to start in the 3-man hinge, alongside Caufriez. Cham (3 goals) and Andric (4 goals) were the most prominent Clermontois offensively during the first part of the season even if they only shone intermittently. The first has also not found the net since the 6th day. The Lille workforce has changed somewhat since the last match with the departure of the side replacing Zedadka in Auxerre for the second part of the season. Expelled against Angers before the break, the young midfielder Baleba (18, rotation) does not make the trip to Auvergne, any more than the important Bamba who is also suspended. The little used Gudmundsson (left side), still recovering, will also miss this meeting while the young Lihadji (no match) still does not fit into Paulo Fonseca's plans.

Finally, Ounas has the flu and must forfeit. On the other hand, the injury of captain Fonte, contracted during the last friendly match against Naples, was ultimately not too serious because the Portuguese is available for this resumption match and even announced as a starter. The Canadian David (9 goals, 3 assists) was very valuable during the first part of the season. The same success for the rest of the exercise is hoped for in the northern ranks, after his participation, without goal, in the World Cup. Bayo faces his former club today but the Guinean has had very little playing time in the first months of competition, in particular due to disciplinary problems.