Lyon vs Clermont Predictions - Clermont to upset the odds to win away at Lyon in Top 14 season opener

Nigel Williams

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Last updated: 04 Sep 2026

Nigel Williams 04 Sep 2026

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Clermont has beaten Lyon in 4 of their last 5 matches.
Clermont finished 7th last season with a powerful attack and strong recruitment.
Lyon has home advantage and new signings aiming to break Clermont's hold.

Expired

Clermont to upset the odds to win away at Lyon in Top 14 season opener (Getty Images)

Lyon vs Clermont Predictions

Lyon are favoured, although Clermont holds the psychological edge with a strong head-to-head record, and having won their last meeting against Lyon. Clermont enters this opening round carrying the stronger momentum from their prior run of games, while Lyon will have home advantage.

Lyon finished 11th in the 2025/26 table with 53 points.
Lyon won 11 of their matches in the 2025/26 campaign.
Clermont have won 4 of their last 5 matches against Lyon.
Clermont finished 7th in the 2025/26 table with 71 points.
Clermont won 15 of their matches in the 2025/26 campaign.

Head to Head

Clermont has won four of the last five meetings with Lyon.

Lyon Form

The 2025/26 season marked Lyon's third consecutive 11th-place finish in the Top 14 standings.

Despite moments of individual brilliance during the 2025/26 campaign, the heavy defensive numbers pointed to an ongoing struggle to control territory and possession consistently. Heading into the 2026/27 campaign, the club opted against a massive squad overhaul, instead targeting front-row depth and academy pathways to turn raw talent into higher table consistency.

Winger Jiuta Wainiqolo aims to build on a stellar prior season where he scored 18 tries in 18 appearances.

Lyon Injuries & Team News

Lyon have strengthened their squad for the 2026/27 season by adding Argentina international Thomas Gallo (prop) from Benetton, playmaker Sanele Nohamba, and Adrien Séguret (centre) from La Rochelle to inject youth and athleticism into the backline and forward pack.

Clermont Form

Clermont finished seventh in the Top 14 2025/26 regular season with a 15–11 record, narrowly missing the playoffs.

Clermont displayed potent attacking quality, surpassing 100 tries over the course of the campaign. Despite a strong late push, winning five of their final six matches under coach Christophe Urios, their defensive vulnerabilities kept them out of the top six.

Clermont's seventh-place finish in the 2025/26 campaign continues a sequence of tight, competitive mid-to-upper table finishes as the club looks to build the defensive resilience required to break back into the playoffs.

Clermont Injuries & Team News

Clermont has strengthened its squad significantly with key international signings and depth additions for the 2026/27 season.

New signings include Darcy Swain (lock) from the Western Force, AJ Lam (centre/winger) from the Blues, Etene Nanai-Seturo (utility back) from the Chiefs, Peniami Narisia (hooker) from Oyonnax, Baptiste Germain (scrum-half) from Bayonne, Justin Bouraux (fly-half) from Oyonnax, Tevita Ratuva (lock) from Brive, and Tom Raffy (fly-half) from Brive.

Departures include Lucas Dessaigne to Montauban, Thomas Ceyte to Montauban, Giga Tutisani to Valence Romans, Michael Ala'alatoa to Munster, Sebastien Bezy to Montpellier.

Verdict

Lyon v Clermont

Clermont holds the psychological edge with a strong head-to-head record and has won their last meeting against Lyon. Clermont to upset the odds at Lyon.

Clermont + 3.5

Handicap

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Nigel combines a love of business and sport as one of the leading experts on South African sport.

Since a young age, he played football, cricket, golf, tennis and squash, and is an avid Arsenal supporter.

His initial foray into the business world was in the financial industry, completing various diploma’s including financial and investment management and credit management, and held various positions in banking.

He subsequently worked on the Leadership media publication and the Global Africa Network Media Trade and Investment platforms, before switching to sport.