Lille seek to move into the Champions League places in the Ligue 1 table when they welcome struggling Toulouse to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday.

The Mastiffs occupy fifth place heading into round 12, aided by a five-game undefeated run, and the away side seek to benefit from a shock European victory over Liverpool on Thursday.

Match preview

Despite consecutive draws in all competitions, Lille are unbeaten domestically and in Europe since a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Reims in late September, a run that stands at eight games.

Five encounters have come in Ligue 1, and Les Dogues seek an extension to that run with maximum points on Sunday.

Even though a point achieves the same aim with the undefeated sequence, three points give Paulo Fonseca's side the possibility of leapfrogging fourth-placed Reims in the standings, with a point separating both clubs.

Lille cannot fall lower than fifth this weekend because of the four-point advantage held over a Brest side that have lost three consecutive league fixtures in the competition amid a five-match winless sequence.

Fonseca's men have won four of their five Ligue 1 home games without conceding, and the ability to prevent away sides from scoring could be in the Mastiffs' favour on Sunday.

As for Toulouse, they hope Thursday's Europa League win over Liverpool is the fillip that turns the tide after three defeats on the bounce — five without winning.

Les Violets survived a late onslaught and a VAR check to hold on to a 3-2 victory over Jurgen Klopp's side, but they must refocus for league action this weekend.

Carles Martinez Novell's team have been beaten in consecutive Ligue 1 fixtures and have failed to win in four matches on the trot (two draws) since beating Metz at the start of October.

Only one point separates Toulouse from the relegation playoff spot occupied by Metz, who aim to leapfrog the struggling Violets, who have won two domestic games all season.

With three defeats in five away games, the away side are underdogs against Lille this weekend.

Team News

Yusuf Yazici's suspension could mean a start for Jonathan David at centre-forward for the home side.

Tiago Djalo and Bafode Diakite are unavailable for Fonseca due to foot and ACL injuries respectively.

Frank Magri scored Toulouse's decisive goal in the win over Liverpool, but the forward is suspended against Lille.

Also missing through suspension is Gabriel Suazo, while Zakaria Aboukhlal, Denis Genreau and Oliver Zanden are all in the wars.

Lille possible starting lineup:
Chevalier; Santos, Yoro, Ribeiro, Ismaily; Bentaleb, Andre; Zhegrova, Gomes, Cavaleiro; David

Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Restes; Desler, Costa, Nicolaisen, Diarra; Schmidt, Casseres Jr, Spierings; Donnum, Dallinga, Gelabert

We say: Lille 2-0 Toulouse

Despite Toulouse's win over Liverpool, Lille's impressive home form — and their continued adeptness at keeping clean sheets in front of their fans — could swing Sunday's game in favour of Fonseca's men.


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