The 13th round of Ligue 1 kicks off this Sunday at 15:00 with a crucial clash between AJ Auxerre and Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps. The hosts are enduring a nightmare start to the season, sitting bottom of the table and already three points adrift of safety. Christophe Pélissier’s men have been struggling for weeks, unable to find consistency or confidence. Meanwhile, Lyon arrive with European ambitions and the clear goal of returning to winning ways after a mixed run of results. This encounter promises to be a test of resilience for Auxerre and a chance for Lyon to reaffirm their top-half credentials.

AJ Auxerre’s Recent Form and Key Stats

Auxerre are in deep trouble after a dismal first third of the campaign. With only 2 wins in 12 Ligue 1 matches, they have collected a mere 7 points and occupy the last position in the standings. Their recent form is alarming: no wins in their last seven league games, with just one draw and four consecutive defeats. The most recent setback came in a 2-0 loss to Angers SCO on November 9, a result that further exposed their attacking inefficiency and defensive fragility.

Over their last five fixtures, Auxerre have averaged 0.4 goals scored and 1.8 conceded per match, underlining their lack of balance. At home, the trend remains worrying: Under 1.5 goals have been scored in the first half of each of their last 13 Ligue 1 games at the Abbé-Deschamps, showing how slow they are to start matches. The team’s offensive struggles are evident, with Lassine Sinayoko their top scorer on three goals but without finding the net since mid-October. Injuries have also played a role, with Francisco Sierralta, Telli Siwe, and Lasso Coulibaly sidelined, while Oussama El Azzouzi remains doubtful.

Goalkeeper Donovan Léon will once again be under pressure to deliver a standout performance, as Auxerre’s defense has been breached far too easily this season. In midfield, Kévin Danois will be tasked with providing stability, while Sinayoko will lead the line in search of a much-needed breakthrough. The home side’s main challenge will be to rediscover confidence and efficiency in front of goal against one of the league’s most organized defenses.

Olympique Lyonnais’ Recent Form and Key Stats

Olympique Lyonnais approach this fixture with the ambition of climbing back into the European qualification race. Currently 7th in Ligue 1, Paulo Fonseca’s side are only two points behind the top four. Despite failing to win any of their last three league matches, the Gones have shown flashes of quality. Their last outing, a 2-3 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, was a narrow loss that highlighted both their attacking potential and defensive lapses.

Across their last five matches, Lyon have recorded 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 defeats, averaging 1.4 goals scored and 1.8 conceded per game. Over the season, they have maintained a positive record of 6 wins, 2 draws, and 4 losses, with an average of 1.5 goals scored per match. Their attacking consistency is notable: Lyon have found the net in 26 of their last 28 Ligue 1 fixtures. However, they rarely settle for draws, with only two stalemates in their last 27 league games.

Fonseca’s squad faces some absences for this trip. Hans Hateboer, Nicolas Tagliafico, and Tyler Morton are suspended, while Ernest Nuamah and Malick Fofana remain injured. On the positive side, Orel Mangala could return to the squad, and Corentin Tolisso is expected to start after recovering from injury. Defensively, Dominik Greif will aim for a clean sheet, supported by the solid pairing of Moussa Niakhaté and Clinton Mata. In attack, Afonso Moreira has emerged as a key figure, contributing decisively in recent matches, including a goal against PSG.

Auxerre vs Olympique Lyonnais: Match Analysis and Prediction

This encounter pits two teams with contrasting ambitions and momentum. Auxerre are desperate to halt their downward spiral, but their lack of confidence and attacking sharpness make this a daunting challenge. The hosts have failed to score in their last four Ligue 1 matches and have one of the weakest offensive records in the league, averaging just 0.6 goals per game. Their defensive line, which concedes an average of 1.6 goals per match, will face a stern test against a Lyon side that rarely fails to score.

Lyon, on the other hand, will view this as a golden opportunity to bounce back. Despite their recent setbacks, they remain a well-structured team capable of controlling possession and creating chances. The visitors’ attacking depth, even with several absentees, should be enough to trouble Auxerre’s fragile defense. Historically, Lyon have dominated this fixture, winning three of the last five meetings, including a 3-1 victory in April 2025.

Given the current form and the quality gap between the sides, Lyon are clear favorites to take all three points. Auxerre’s inability to convert chances and their defensive instability make it difficult to foresee an upset. The visitors’ superior attacking rhythm and experience should allow them to dictate the tempo and secure a much-needed win.

BetMines Prediction:
The most likely outcome is an Olympique Lyonnais win (2) with a 48% probability. The Draw (X) follows at 25%, while an AJ Auxerre win (1) stands at 27%.