Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
Lille will be looking to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Rennes when they take on Dijon at their Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Matchday 22. Les Dogues aim to extend their winning run in the Ligue 1 to four games, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at Dijon. You should bear in mind that Lille are eyeing their eighth home win of the season.
The Owls, on the other hand, came from behind to share the spoils with Strasbourg at the weekend, but it has to be noted that Le Racing dominated the game. Dijon face an uphill task in Sunday’s clash against Lille, and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling les Dogues’ party at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. In their last meeting in the French top flight Lille defeated Dijon 2-0, and we believe that the history is going to repeat itself.
Highlighted Player (Jonathan Bamba):
After spending his youth career at CS Paris-Charenton, UJA AlfortVille and Saint-Etienne, Jonathan Bamba started playing for Saint-Etienne II at senior level. In 2015 he was given a chance to prove his worth with the first team and it has to be noted that he scored eight goals in 42 appearances for les Verts in Ligue 1.
Following his loan spells with Paris, Sint-Truiden and Angers, Jonathan Bamba joined Lille in the summer of 2018. The pacey winger born in Alfortville (France) on March 26, 1996, has been playing for les Dogues ever since, but he has yet to earn a cap for the French national team. Nonetheless, Jonathan Bamba has 12 caps with France U21 in which he scored four goals for les Tricolores.
Jonathan Bamba’s main position is left winger, but he is used as a centre-forward as well. The French footballer, whose preferred foot is right, has a contract with Lille until June 30, 2023.
Highlighted Team (Dijon):
Founded in 1998, Dijon is a result of a merger between two local clubs. The Mustards played their first ever match in the Ligue 1 on August 7, 2011, with the team suffering a heavy 5-1 loss on their debut in the French top flight. After suffering relegation to Ligue 2 at the end of the 2011/2012 season, the club returned to the French elite division in 2016.
The Mustards finished the 2016/2017 Ligue 1 campaign in 16th place in the standings, only one point clear of the relegation zone. Dijon are well known for their red jerseys, while they wear white when playing on the road. The Mustards welcome their rivals at Stade Gaston Gerard, the venue which was both built and opened in 1934. In the 1998/1999 season the club recorded a historical 12-1 Coupe de France win over Mahault Baie and that is considered the club’s biggest ever win in a competitive match.
Stephane Mangione, who made 181 appearances for the club, is regarded as one of the team’s famous players.