Lyon vs Toulouse Predictions - Toulouse set to bounce back with an away win over Lyon

Brad Newcomb

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Last updated: 3 hours ago

Brad Newcomb 3 hours ago

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Toulouse have won 5 of their last 6 matches.
Lyon have lost 6 of their last 7 games.
Toulouse favoured to cover the -5.5 handicap in upcoming clash.

Toulouse are first in the Top 14 standings (Getty Images)

Lyon have often struggled to win their fixtures lately, but they have a solid record against Toulouse at home. Toulouse were on a five-match winning streak before their recent defeat.

Toulouse have won 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
Toulouse have lost 4 of their last 5 away games in all competitions.
Toulouse have won 3 of their last 5 fixtures against Lyon.
Lyon have lost 6 of their last 7 fixtures in all competitions.
Lyon have won 3 of their last 5 home games in all competitions.
Lyon have won 5 of their last 6 home matches against Toulouse.

Head to Head

Toulouse have a slight edge with 12 victories to nine against Lyon, including two draws in 23 meetings.

Lyon Form

Lyon succumbed to back-to-back defeats in the European Challenge Cup, losing 23–14 to Newcastle at home and 23–21 to the Dragons away from home last weekend.

Lyon have been in decent nick at home in their last five home games. They defeated Racing 92 32-7, Stade Francais 42-37, Perpignan 44-19, and lost 36-19 to La Rochelle before beating Clermont 43-24.

Lyon are 12th in the Top 14 table with 23 points from 11 games.

Lyon have not had much success lately, losing six of their last seven matches, but they will have the belief they can turn their fortunes around when they host Toulouse, as they have defeated their opponents in five of their previous six meetings.

Toulouse Form

Toulouse thrashed the Sharks 56-19 at home in their opening European Rugby Champions Cup match before losing 28-21 to the Glasgow Warriors away last weekend.

Toulouse have had mixed fortunes in their last five away fixtures in the Top 14. They beat Clermont 34–2, but lost 44–14 to Montpellier, 40–26 to Bayonne, and 30–26 to Pau, before defeating Montauban 49–7.

Toulouse are 1st in the Top 14 standings with 39 points from 11 matches.

Toulouse have beaten Lyon in three of their last five meetings and will be eager to redeem themselves after surrendering a commanding first-half lead in their previous outing last weekend.

Team News

Lyon

Head coach Karim Ghezal has commented on how his team will approach their clash with Toulouse: "First, we need to differentiate between the Challenge Cup, where the goal was to integrate young players, and where winning isn't the primary objective this season. We used this competition to get the entire squad back up to speed physically. We've got everyone back in shape; we're missing two key players, Jermaine Ainsley and Mickaël Guillard. Otherwise, the whole squad is cohesive, and we have a crucial run of three matches coming up. To finish the season strong, we need to manage the Christmas break well."

Arno Botha has signed for Pro D2 team Nevers ahead of next season on a two-year deal.

Toulouse

Toulouse have had two points deducted after breaching the salary cap in Top 14 in connection with the 2022 transfer of Melvyn Jaminet.