Toulouse vs Lyon – News and Probable Lineups

Toulouse, currently mid-table, will aim to disrupt the UEFA Champions League ambitions of Lyon as they host them at Stadium de Toulouse this Sunday in Ligue 1.

Although the home side is finishing their campaign without much pressure after securing their place in the top flight, Lyon enters the match knowing that a win could significantly enhance their chances of securing automatic Champions League qualification before the final weekend.

Match overview

The end of the season seems to be improving for Toulouse, who overcame a challenging spring that nearly pulled them into the relegation battle.

Last weekend, Carles Martinez Novell’s squad showcased their resilience with a comeback 2-1 victory against Strasbourg, marking their second match without defeat following a 2-2 draw against Mônaco.

This recent momentum has calmed nerves around the club after a tough stretch during which Toulouse faced significant losses to Lille, Lens, and Paris Saint-Germain across various competitions.

Nonetheless, they continue to struggle at home, having won only once in their last five Ligue 1 encounters at Stadium de Toulouse, grappling with a lack of attacking consistency, as they have failed to find the net in six of their last eleven home league matches.

However, the team can draw confidence from their earlier encounter this season, where they surprised Lyon with a 2-1 win away, and they aim to achieve their first league double over Les Gones since the 1965-66 season.

Lyon, on the other hand, has found their form at just the right time, as Paulo Fonseca’s squad has recorded four consecutive Ligue 1 victories, including a 4-2 win over Rennes last weekend, following earlier triumphs against Auxerre, Paris Saint-Germain, and Lorient.

This resurgence has propelled Les Gones into the automatic Champions League slots as they approach the penultimate round, allowing them to dictate the course of their destiny in the race for a top-three finish.

The improvement in their attacking play is particularly noticeable, with Lyon netting 11 goals across their past four league matches, as Endrick has been increasingly vital in the offense after another standout performance against Rennes.

Despite this positive trajectory, their away performances are still somewhat concerning, with Lyon securing only one win in their last six competitive away fixtures; however, that victory was a notable 2-1 success at Paris Saint-Germain.

The visitors must also be cautious of underestimating a Toulouse side that has the capability to exploit opportunities during transitions, especially considering their previous loss in the first leg, but they can take heart from their historical performance in this matchup, having suffered just two defeats since 2014.

Team News

Heading into the match, Toulouse has several injury issues as Alexis Vossah and Romain Faivre both had to leave the game against Strasbourg early.

Mario Sauer is suspended, and Abu Francis along with Rafik Messali are both out due to ankle issues, while Frank Magri is unavailable because of a knee injury, and Fredrik Oppegard will be evaluated prior to kickoff.

On the Lyon side, they will be without Remi Himbert due to an ankle injury, and Orel Mangala is also out with a knock.

Khalis Merah and Tyler Morton are both uncertain after sustaining injuries in the win against Rennes, though Fonseca hopes at least one of them may recover in time.

Pavel Sulc has emerged as Lyon’s leading scorer this season with 11 league goals but could begin on the bench again, while Endrick is anticipated to retain his position in attack following his recent strong performances.

Toulouse probable starting XI:

Nicolaisen, Cresswell, McKenzie; Methalie, Casseres, Vossah, Donnum; Gboho, Hidalgo; Russell Rowe

Lyon probable starting XI:

Count; Maitland-Niles, Mata, Niakhate, Abner; Tolisso, Morton; Mulberry, Endrick, Mulberry; Yaremchuk

Toulouse has shown recent signs of improvement and could potentially make things difficult for Lyon, especially given the visitors’ inconsistent away performances.

Nonetheless, Lyon approaches the match with momentum, confidence, and significantly greater motivation as they pursue automatic Champions League qualification. With their attack firing on all cylinders at this crucial juncture, Les Gones should possess enough quality to secure a narrow victory in southern France.