Lyon Vs Toulouse

Lyon is eager to get back on track after suffering an unexpected exit from the Coupe de France, as they prepare to face Toulouse in Ligue 1 action this Saturday at Groupama Stadium. The team currently finds itself in sixth place in the Ligue 1 standings, following a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brest the previous weekend. Toulouse, on the other hand, are sitting just four points behind them in eighth place, having also lost 2-1 against Strasbourg.

The start of the new year has been challenging for Olympique Lyonnais, who have encountered several setbacks across all competitions. After a string of poor results, Lyon has failed to build momentum, with their only victory in 2025 coming against Montpellier HSC in a narrow 1-0 win. Their latest blow came in the Coupe de France, where they were eliminated by Bourgoin-Jallieu, a fifth-tier team from Championnat National 3, in a penalty shootout. This result marked an unprecedented low for the club, as it was the first time Lyon had been knocked out by a team outside the top four tiers of French football in the competition’s history.

Compounding their woes, Lyon are currently facing the possibility of sanctions, including potential relegation. Despite these challenges, they are still in the mix for a spot in European competitions, currently holding a position in the Europa Conference League. After their midweek elimination, Lyon’s head coach Pierre Sage acknowledged the embarrassment of the defeat, expressing that the team would need to face the fallout from such an upset. Should they lose to Toulouse, Lyon would match their longest losing streak in Ligue 1 this season, which is two matches.

However, Lyon has been able to demonstrate resilience at home, where they have managed to win four consecutive matches across all competitions. Their strong home form has been one of the few bright spots this season, as they remain unbeaten in their last five matches at Groupama Stadium. Historically, they have been dominant over Toulouse in Ligue 1, with Lyon having gone 16 matches without losing to the team. This remarkable run has been the longest unbeaten streak they’ve maintained against a single opponent in Ligue 1, surpassing their 10-match unbeaten streak against Saint-Etienne that spanned from 1994 to 2010.

On the other side, Toulouse has been showing signs of improvement despite their own struggles. Their two-match winning streak in the league was ended last Sunday, but they remain in good spirits, having lost just one of their last five competitive fixtures. Under the guidance of head coach Carles Martinez Novell, Toulouse has managed to secure positive results in away games, most notably achieving back-to-back wins on the road in their last two competitive fixtures without conceding a goal in either match. This defensive solidity has been one of Toulouse’s strengths, and they will be looking to continue that trend as they take on Lyon.

A win for Toulouse this weekend could see them match their longest away winning streak in Ligue 1 this season, which currently stands at two matches. Such a result would also bring them closer to securing a place in European competition for the first time since the 2023-24 season. Toulouse’s performance this season has been marked by a sense of resilience, as they have been able to turn things around after some earlier setbacks. Toulouse has not been without its difficulties, however, as they have suffered two defeats this season after scoring the first goal in a Ligue 1 match, including a 2-1 loss to Lyon at home in September.

Toulouse’s defense has been one of their most significant improvements under Martinez Novell. They have kept four clean sheets in their last six away games across all competitions, matching the total number of clean sheets they had kept in their first 26 matches under their current manager. This defensive improvement, coupled with their recent solid away form, suggests that Toulouse may be poised to put up a strong challenge against Lyon.

While Toulouse’s form has been promising, they have struggled historically in away matches against Lyon. The team has gone winless in their last 29 encounters in Lyon, with their last victory in the city dating back to 1966, when they defeated Lyon 1-0. This long-standing poor record against Lyon will undoubtedly be a psychological hurdle for Toulouse as they head into the match this weekend.

Lyon will be keen to put their midweek defeat behind them and get back to winning ways, particularly given their position in the table and the looming pressure from the sanctions they are facing. A loss to Toulouse would add further strain to their season and potentially signal the start of a worrying downward spiral. However, Lyon will take comfort in their solid home record and their ability to perform well against Toulouse in recent years.

For Toulouse, the match presents an opportunity to continue their positive run and build on their recent strong performances, especially on the road. A victory would not only improve their standing in Ligue 1 but also bring them closer to achieving their goal of qualifying for European competitions. Toulouse has shown they are capable of going toe-to-toe with stronger teams, and with their recent form, they will be hopeful of ending their long winless run in Lyon.

In conclusion, this match promises to be an intriguing encounter, with both teams battling to overcome recent disappointments and looking to push for their respective goals in Ligue 1. Lyon is aiming to recover from a difficult start to the year, while Toulouse is keen to build on their recent positive performances. The stakes are high for both sides, and it will be interesting to see how the match unfolds.