Clermont Foot 63 vs Lorient Prediction: Both teams to score or over 2.5 goals

This Saturday at the Stade Gabriel Montpied, Clermont will play host to Lorient in a Ligue 1 match. Prior to their matchup on Saturday at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied, Clermont and Lorient were separated in the Ligue 1 standings by two positions. This weekend's results might determine whether the host team stays in ninth position or gets passed by their visitors, who are now in tenth.

Due to Clermont's eighth-place standing and Lorient's position two spots below in tenth, neither of these teams has anything to play for. Though it would be a bonus for them, a victory for Lorient might allow them to move up to seventh. It appears Clermont will win this game based on previous performance.

For Clermont, who is aiming for a top-half finish in the French premier division in 2022–23, it has been a great second season. It was predicted that Clermont Foot would struggle in their second year after finishing 17th in their inaugural Ligue 1 campaign last year, but they immediately refuted such predictions. Their performance at the Stade Gabriel-Montpied has been a major factor in their late-season charge to finish in the top 10, and their four consecutive wins on their home field are particularly impressive.

Although they have struggled on the road lately, they have a chance this weekend to make a string of triumphs at home into five, giving them hope that they may extend their current winning streak. Despite the loss to Brest the previous week, a trip back to Gabriel-Montpied could be able to prevent Lorient from overtaking the eighth-place team.

After being injured in the victory over Olympique Lyon two weeks prior, Saif-Eddine was healthy enough to sit on the Clermont bench against Brest last weekend; however, Muhammed Cham could start this weekend. Match-winner Grejohn Kyei left the game against Lyon due to an injury, but after starting last week, it appears that the nine-goal scorer will start against Lorient. After making his first league appearance of the year in the previous game week, Ouparine Djoco should be replaced in goal by Mory Diaw.

Clermont Foot's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Diaw

Defenders: Seidu, Wieteska, Caufriez

Midfielders: Zeffane, Magnin, Gastien, Borges

Strikers: Cham-Saracevic, Rashani; Kyei

By losing to second-placed Lens, who still have a slim chance of winning the championship, the visitors squandered the opportunity to unseat Clermont in round 35. Lorient's three-game winning run (two victories) came to an end with a defeat, and regardless of the outcomes of their next two games, this season will be remembered as a triumph. Lorient finished 2021–22 in 16th position with 36 points, tied on points with Clermont and only four points above the bottom three, highlighting this year's progress.

In an effort to extend a two-game unbeaten road streak in which four points have been earned from six, Lorient will be aiming to avoid a defeat. If Lorient defeats Clermont on Saturday night, they will have the best road record in Ligue 1, only seven clubs have a better record and they will be looking to win their seventh game away from home this year.

The Nigerian international, Innocent, left the game with an injury in Lorient's tie at Montpellier a fortnight ago, but he returned in last week's loss to Lens, suggesting he may make another start on Saturday. Igor Silva, who last played in the team's loss to Toulouse, is not expected to participate this weekend due to an injury.

Lorient's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Mvogo

Defenders: Meite, Talbi, Le Goff

Midfielders: Kalulu, Innocent, Abergel, Yongwa

Strikers: Faivre, Le Fee; Kone

Lorient has recently performed better when playing against Clermont Foot. In their past six encounters with Clermont, including the trip to the Stade Gabriel Montpied last year, they have prevailed four times.

Clermont was beaten by Brest last weekend ending a seven-game winning streak during which they allowed just five goals, their first since March 19. Lorient's recent performance hasn't been as strong. They had only triumphed twice in their previous nine games, but one of those victories was at Paris St. Germain in one of the biggest upsets of the year thus far.

Even though they are in the top half of the league standings, Clermont has not exactly been a potent goal scorer this year. Only 40 goals have been scored, three fewer than Troyes, who were demoted.

Prior to last weekend's loss to Brest, Clermont's form was looking strong, but they should remain optimistic about the outcome of this match. Despite having a poor record versus Lorient, they have recently been dominating. 

We expect goals from both sides and a win for the home team.