Lorient vs Auxerre – News and Probable Lineups

On Sunday, Auxerre will aim to keep themselves clear of the automatic relegation zone as they head to Stade du Moustoir for a fixture against Lorient on matchday 24 of the Ligue 1 season.

A 3-3 draw against Nice last weekend pushed Les Merlus up to ninth in the standings, while the Burgundy side sits at 17th place following a 3-0 home loss to Rennes.

Match overview

There is a good degree of optimism in the coastal town of Lorient, where the team has only suffered one loss in their last 15 competitive matches.

This form has given them a sliver of hope for a spot in Europe next season, with the newly promoted side currently five points behind Rennes for a Conference League position prior to matchday 24.

Olivier Pantaloni’s squad has recorded victories in their last three home matches across all competitions and is unbeaten in their last ten home league games at Stade du Moustoir.

Lorient has allowed one goal or fewer in their last eight home fixtures, achieving clean sheets on the prior two occasions.

As it stands after 23 matches, they have accumulated 32 points, which is three more than what they achieved at the end of their last campaign in this division during 2023-24 (29 points).

Les Merlus have already secured two more home victories in the top tier this season compared to their total in 2023-24 (four), and they are three home wins shy of matching their previous best of nine from the 2022-23 season.

The season for Auxerre has been a challenging one since the start, and that sentiment persists as a new month approaches.

Last week, their three-match unbeaten streak in the league was halted, placing them just above Nantes, on goal difference, in the relegation standings.

This season, Christophe Pelissier’s players have struggled to score, failing to find the net on 13 occasions, nearly double their total from the previous season (seven).

To match their prior total of 42 points from the 2024-25 campaign, Auxerre would need to win eight of their last 11 matches, a daunting task given their record of only two wins in their last 18 Ligue 1 matches.

AJA could achieve consecutive away victories in Ligue 1 on Sunday for the first time since October 2010, following their 3-1 win over Metz on matchday 22.

The last two encounters with Lorient in the top tier resulted in victories for the Burgundy club, both by a score of 1-0.

Team News

Lorient may be without Isaak Toure or Kan Guy Arsene Kouassi on Sunday due to injury concerns, while Bandiougou Fadiga has a groin issue, Trevan Sanusi is facing a knee injury, and Abdoulaye Faye is questionable with a hamstring concern.

Pablo Pagis, Bamba Dieng, and Noah Cadiou all scored in the last matchday, with Cadiou netting the equalizer during stoppage time to secure a point for his team.

For Auxerre, Nathan Buayi-Kiala is sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament, Lasso Coulibaly has a minor injury, and Francisco Sierralta is dealing with a muscle strain.

Romain Faivre, currently on loan from Bournemouth, might miss another fixture this weekend as he recuperates from an ankle issue, while Oussama El Azzouzi is doubtful due to a hamstring problem.

Lorient probable starting XI:

Mvogo; Silva, Talbi, Meite, Yongwa; Karim, Abergel, Cadiou, Le Bris; Page, Dieng

Auxerre probable starting XI:

Leon; Sy, Diamond, Okoh, Akpa; Ahmada, Owusu, Danish; Loader, Mara, Sinayoko

Despite the momentum Lorient has built, they often face difficulties against teams in the lower part of the table.

On the other hand, Auxerre has not lost to a newly promoted team all season, with three of their four victories coming against such sides.