Reims vs Lille Prediction & Betting Tips (17 August)

Stade de Reims was one of the great satisfactions of the first part of the season last year by taking its place at the top of the table and showing itself capable of competing with the teams fighting for Europe. Unfortunately for him, the Champagne club was not able to maintain the pace and it even had a complicated end to the year with the hasty departure of Will Still to finally finish in 9th place in the rankings. Now under the orders of Luka Elsner who arrives from Le Havre, the residents of Auguste Delaune will try to do at least as well this year. The summer preparation started well with a victory obtained against Fleury-Mérogis 2-0. Going on tour to Japan, the Réminis drew against Jubilo Iwata 1-1, then they were beaten quite heavily by Shimizu S-Pulse 3-0. Then, they will again challenge Machida Zelvia, Vissel Kobe and finally Auxerre. For their part, Lille missed a great opportunity to finish on the Ligue 1 podium last May by being held in check by OGC Nice during the last day 2-2.

Following this poor performance, Losc was overtaken by Stade Brestois in the race for 3rd place and it will have to play a 3rd preliminary round and play-offs to try to obtain its ticket for the Champions League. This summer, the Mastiffs lost their coach Paulo Fonseca who joined AC Milan and it is Bruno Genesio who will try to do even better than his predecessor. The Northerners started their friendly match campaign rather well with a victory against Deinze 3-1 and a draw against Mechelen 1-1. They then dominated by Gantoise 0-1, held by Genk 2-2 and defeated by Wolfsberger 1-0. They then finished with a good success against Celta Vigo 3-1.

A page has been turned this summer on the Reims side with the departure of emblematic captain Yunis Abdelhamid who joined Saint-Etienne. In addition, full-back Diakité (Cercle Bruges) and midfielder Stambouli (free) also left the club. Loaned last season in Ligue 2, young midfielder Adeline (Annecy) and striker Salama (Caen) hope to establish themselves with the Champagne club while central defender Kipré arrived free from West Bromwich Albion. Unsurprisingly, we should find in the 11 the very good Maltese international midfielder Teuma (6 goals, 3 assists), the excellent Munetsi (4 goals, 3 assists), the Japanese Nakamura (4 goals) and Ito (3 goals, 7 assists) and scorer Diakité (5 goals). A few players left Losc this summer. This is the case of the Turkish international Yacizi (free), the little used Cavaleiro (free) and the signed Adam Ounas (free).

The excellent defender Lenny Yoro has taken charge of Manchester United. The Mastiffs, on the other hand, were able to attract the young midfielder Mukau (FC Mechelen), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor) and of course Ethan Mbappé (PSG). Also note the loan returns of Virginius (Clermont) and Bayo (Le Havre) who could be invited to seek playing time elsewhere. Author of a high-flying season last year, Canadian center forward David (19 goals) is still at the club as is Kosovar Zhegrova (6 goals, 6 assists) who has nevertheless announced his wish to leave the North of France. Victim of a heart attack in recent months, the excellent midfielder Bentaleb should not be fit in the coming months and the rest of his career is now on dotted lines.