Reims Vs Lille
Reims Vs Lille Sunday 30 August 2020 – 12:00 Kick-Off
French Ligue 1
Pick: Draw
Odds: 21/10
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 28 August 2020)
Preview: The action from Ligue 1, in France, begins from midday on Sunday and kick-offs with Reims taking on Lille at Stade Auguste-Delaune. Last season’s corresponding fixture produced something of an upset, meanwhile, as Reims registered a 2-0 victory almost a year to the day ago.
French Ligue 1 Betting at 22Bet
Table of Contents
Reims Preview – Les rouges et blancs seldom beaten on home soil?
On the back of an outstanding campaign in 2019-20, finishing in a share of fifth-place alongside Nice but ahead of Lyon and Monaco, Stade de Reims came into this season with renewed belief but also with a great deal more pressure on them. Could they live up to the standards set last time around? A point at the Stade Louis II on Matchday 1 was certainly encouraging (xG: MON 2.43 – 1.7 REI), drawing 2-2 with Monaco.
More surprising than the actual result was the scoreline. Reims found goals incredibly difficult to come by last term, netting 26 in 28 games, but that was in part due to a pragmatic approach adopted by their coach, David Guion. The 52-year-old former defender certainly ran a tight ship: no team in Ligue 1, not even perennial champions PSG, conceded fewer (21) in last season’s top-flight than Les Rouges et blancs.
It remains to be seen whether last week’s excitement was something to be cherished or a glimpse into the future. It will more than likely be the former. Reims were a tough nut to crack last time around, particularly at home (W5 D7 L2), almost priding themselves on making life as difficult as possible for opposing attackers. A staggering 86 per cent of their matches in 2019-20 produced no more than two goals.
Lille Preview – Les Douges chasing fourth-straight Ligue 1 away win?
The decision to cut short last season’s Ligue 1 campaign affected some clubs a great deal more than others. Lille, perhaps more than most, could justifiably feel aggrieved having missed out on a top-three finish, and with it a spot in the Champions League, by a single point. It also didn’t help, of course, that Christophe Galtier’s men simply didn’t pick up enough points away from their Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Fix up on their travels and Lille should be able to better sustain an assault on the top-three in the season ahead, with Marseille’s runners-up spot, in particular, a realistic target. A disappointing outcome on Sunday, though, and those same doubts will come creeping back. It took them until December 3 to clinch their first away win last season, collecting only two points from their first seven away match-ups.
A 2-0 reverse at Reims was among those early setbacks on the road, a defeat which occurred nearly a year to the day ago. Les Douges produced some excellent form towards the end of last term, however, unsuspectingly wrapping up Ligue 1 with six wins in seven having won three on the bounce away. They were held by Rennes on Matchday 1 of this season, though, and were very fortunate to do so (xG: LIL 0.39 – 1.58 REN).
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Reims Vs Lille Betting Advice
Neither could make it a winning start as Ligue 1 finally made its long-awaited return last weekend, despite the pair claiming early leads. Lille were ahead just before half-time of their clash with Rennes, who levelled fifteen minutes from the end to earn a 1-1 draw but could have nicked it late on. Meanwhile, Reims surged into a shock 2-0 lead inside 21 minutes of their contest with Monaco, who fought back to also claim a point.
Reims Vs Lille – Key Facts
- Last season, only two teams – Dijon and Metz – could get the better of Reims in 14 Ligue 1 fixtures played at their Stade Auguste-Delaune (W5 D7 L2).
- Lille needed to be patient on their travels last season, not claiming their first of four away wins (W4 D2 L7) until December, doing so at the eighth attempt.
- Each of the past four league meetings between Reims and Lille produced exactly two goals, with Reims 2-0 victors at home last season.
Reims (1st with 26 conceded in 28 games) and Lille (4th with 27 in 28 games) both ranked highly from a defensive standpoint last term, while neither excelled going forward. So this could be a tightly-fought contest. However, there has been exactly two goals scored in all four meetings across the previous two seasons, including back-to-back 1-1 draws in 2018-19. Another stalemate appeals. 1-1 Draw.
Best Betting Odds – Reims Vs Lille
Reims – 11/5 (Betfair)
Draw – 21/10 (Bet365)
Lille – 6/4 (Unibet)
