- 1 Toulouse vs Lyon: a rebuilding TFC faces a Lyon side already up to speed
- 2 Toulouse: a depleted squad as the Askou era begins
- 3 Lyon: rhythm, depth and a top-three target
- 4 Ligue 1 prediction Toulouse vs Lyon
- 5 First, a word on our free predictions
- 6 No commitment from us
- 7 Information changes
- 8 Your role
- 9 Responsible gambling first
- 10 Legal age
- 11 About the visuals…
Toulouse vs Lyon: a rebuilding TFC faces a Lyon side already up to speed 
Toulouse’s Stadium hosts one of the standout fixtures of the opening weekend on Saturday 22 August at 20h45. TFC welcome an Olympique Lyonnais side that has already had a few competitive games under its belt.
The Violets are coming off a strong campaign that ended with an eighth-place finish and a run to the French Cup semi-finals. Their season finished with real bite too, with a 2-2 draw against Monaco and a 2-1 win over this same Lyon side.
But the club has turned a significant page this summer. Carles Martinez did not extend his contract, making way for Dane Jens Berthel Askou, who arrives from Motherwell and is taking charge in France for the first time.
Lyon come into this trip in a very different place. Fourth last season, OL had to get through the Champions League third qualifying round against Sparta Prague at the start of the month.
Those European games bring an obvious edge: Les Rhodaniens arrive with proper match sharpness while Toulouse are still getting going. That gap in preparation often matters plenty on opening day.
Lyon’s aim this season is clear, with a podium finish in Ligue 1 in their sights and a serious continental run after last season’s Europa League round-of-16 exit. The club has built its squad with that in mind.
Toulouse: a depleted squad as the Askou era begins 
Toulouse finished the last campaign in eighth, a position that reflects real consistency. The French Cup semi-final rounded off a solid season for a club operating on a far smaller budget than the heavyweights above it.
The closing stretch was encouraging too, not least that 2-1 win over Lyon in the final weeks. That result is the best recent reference point available heading into this weekend’s rematch.
Pre-season was quieter, with games against Rodez (L2) and Real Sociedad in late July. The match load remains light for a team trying to absorb new ideas.
Askou inherits a squad that needs rebuilding as much as it needs coaching. His spell at Motherwell in Scotland’s top flight did little to prepare him for the technical demands of Ligue 1.
The transfer window has hit Toulouse hard in attack. Emersonn, who scored 7 goals, has joined Ipswich for 32 million euros, a club record fee.
Magri, who also scored 5, along with right-backs Kamanzi and Sidibe, left at the end of their contracts. Pape Demba Diop has returned to Strasbourg after his loan spell.
The board has tried to patch things up by bringing in Tape, a left-back from Horsens, and Ismail Diallo, signed from Dijon. Useful names, sure, but hardly a straight swap for the missing firepower.
The injury and suspension list makes life even harder for the restart. Methalie and Vossah are banned, as is winger Donnum, who was involved in 10 goals last season with 5 strikes and 5 assists.
Messali, often held back by fitness issues, is still a doubt. That leaves Toulouse particularly thin on the right side.
That still leaves Gboho, TFC’s top scorer last season with 10 goals, and the one player capable of turning a match on his own. Toulouse’s hopes on Saturday night will be built around him.
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Lyon: rhythm, depth and a top-three target 
Lyon started their season long before everyone else, with that two-legged European tie against Sparta Prague in early August. That kind of official action changes everything when you are preparing for a first league game.
Before that, OL had recorded four wins and one defeat in pre-season. Saint-Gall (6-3) and Wolfsburg (0-2) were beaten, before the meeting with Real Betis.
That 6-3 against Saint-Gall summed up Lyon’s threat in transition. This is a side built to hurt opponents going forward, even if it leaves a bit of space behind it.
Still, fourth place last season felt like a slight letdown given the noise around the club’s ambitions. The board wants a podium finish this year, which means banking points early, especially on the road.
The summer window was first used to bring in money, with Afonso Moreira sold to Bayer Leverkusen for close to 30 million euros. The Portuguese attacker had been involved in 19 goals in his first season at the club.
A number of loans also ended, with Endrick back at Real Madrid, Yaremchuk returning to Olympiakos and Karabec going back to Sparta Prague. Defender Hateboer has also gone back to Rennes.
The signings have been aimed at squad depth, with Bidstrup arriving from Salzburg and Ouedraogo signed from Altach. Duranville, formerly of Dortmund, and Boudache, from Nice, have added more width.
Even so, the attacking core still rests on two men who stood out last season. Corentin Tolisso scored 15 goals and Sulc added 14 goals and 7 assists.
A welcome bonus from pre-season came in the shape of young striker Himbert, who scored 6 times in friendlies. His form gives Lyon another option in a reshaped attack.
Across almost every position, Lyon have more depth than Toulouse. That imbalance is why the bookmakers are leaning their way.
Probable Toulouse line-up: Not announced at the time of publication.
Probable Lyon line-up: Not announced at the time of publication.
Ligue 1 prediction Toulouse vs Lyon
Our prediction: Lyon to win
The difference in match sharpness is the clearest angle in this fixture. Lyon have already been through a competitive Champions League tie, while Toulouse have only had two friendlies in late July.
TFC will also be without Methalie, Vossah and Donnum, all suspended, with the latter involved in 10 goals last season. Lyon, by contrast, have Tolisso and Sulc available, a pair who combined for 29 goals.
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