Top four plot thickens as Lyon host Stade de Reims in winner-takes-all clash: D1 Arkema Week 14 Preview
A season that has seen Lyon conquer all, where the band carries on tinkling away for their rivals in their quest to dislodge the reigning champions off the apex of the log, gets more intricate as the table-toppers play host to Stade de Reims, a side staking a strong claim for a top four finish, at Groupama Stadium on Saturday.
With only one draw and 19 wins across all competitions this season, Lyon will be out to maintain their run without a blemish.
The division’s leading goal scorer Ada Hegerberg, with 10 goals and one assist (11 G/A) in 590 minutes, will be eager to continue with her unmatched brilliance in front of goal.
Boasting a miserly defence that has conceded the least number of goals (six in 13 matches), Lyon will be out to serve another flawless performance.
The champions have never lost to Stade de Reims in their past nine meetings.
On the other hand, Reims, who have been impressive in their push for a top four finish, having collected 10 points from a possible 15 in their last five fixtures, will be out to march on.
With Polish shot stopper Kinga Szemik racking-up clean sheets, having registered seven in 12 matches in the league, a contest against the division’s free-scoring side will surely give her extra motivation.
Meanwhile, second-placed Paris Saint-Germain, who have been on the ascendancy in recent weeks – usurping second place from cross-town rivals Paris FC, who had seized the initiative from the first day of the campaign – visit the Stade Robert Bobin for a clash against FC Fleury on Friday evening.
Boasting an unassailable 10:0 win rate over their hosts, Paris will be out to maintain their dominance over Fleury.
For striker Tabitha Chawinga, with an impressive nine goals and seven assists from 820 D1 Arkema matches this season, a perfect opportunity presents itself to keep the pressure on division’s leading goal scorer Ada Hegerberg from title rivals Lyonnais.
With 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five games and aiming to maintain their push for the title, a complete set of points will firmly be on the menu for Jocelyn Prêcheur and her team.
Les Parisiens recently made it to the round of eight of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) and will be eager to continue with the impressive form.
On the other hand, Fleury, a team seemingly feeding off scraps and with sirens howling in their quest for a respectable finish come the end of the season, a return to consistency will be their motivation against the league’s second most in form outfit.
Striker Ewelina Kamczyk, whose six goals and four assists in 13 starts in the league have helped her team maintain top-half rank for most part of the season, will be cherishing the opportunity to go toe to toe with Paris Saint Germain’s defensive line.
Reeling from elimination from UWCL and seawater lapping around their ankles in their fight for second place, having seemingly surrendered the initiative to cross-town rivals PSG, Paris FC host Lille OSC at the Stade Charlety on Sunday night.
A fixture against a side with only a point to show from their last five matches presents a perfect opportunity to silence the howling sirens and mount a serious challenge to second for Paris FC. And with two defeats on the trot in the league, Paris will be out for some recovery.
Trusted goal-getter Gaëtane Thiney, with seven goals and two assists and having last scored in the Paris derby, albeit on the losing end, will be eager to cross chest tow her faltering side.
The home side’s defence, leaking like a sieve in the last fixture against Chelsea in the champions league, having conceded four goals, will be eager to provide a firm building block in their quest for recovery.
On the other hand, LOSC, who are wallowing in relegation waters on 11th position, having lost four matches and drawn one in their last five, will have their work cut out in trying to launch a fight for survival.
Fifth-placed Montpellier travel to ninth-placed Dijon on Saturday at the Stade Gaston-Gérard.
Having amassed six points out of a possible 15 in their last five matches and seemingly being a team in crisis in their quest for a respectable finish come the end of the season, the focus will firmly be on retaining consistency in their performances.
Striker Faustine Robert, with six goals in 1123 domestic league minutes, is a leading light in front of goal for the fifth-ranked team in their fight for a top four finish, and will be eager to lead the line and increase her tally.
Dijon, on the other hand, will look to steer clear of the relegation quagmire having won two, drawn as many games and lost one in their last five fixtures.
AS Saint-Étienne, the third most in-form team in the league, with three wins on the bounce and four in total from their last five matches, having dropped points only to Paris FC, travel to Stade Océane on Saturday for a date against Le Havre in a mid-table clash.
Eager to continue on the ascendancy, having steadily risen to seventh, Les Verts will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of getting one over their midtable rivals.
With goals trickling in from the front duo of Cindy Caputo and Phornetia Browne, all on three goals, the visitors will be feeling they have enough arsenal to maintain their ascendancy.
Tenth-placed Guingamp, winless in their last five matches, travel for a date against fellow strugglers Bordeaux in a bottom-of-the-log clash on Saturday afternoon.
FIXTURES: Friday 02 February, 2024 (22:00) Paris SG vs Fleury
FIXTURES: Saturday 03 February, 2024 (14:00) Le Havre vs AS Saint-Étienne
FIXTURES: Saturday 03 February 2024 (15:30) Bordeaux vs Guingamp
FIXTURES: Saturday 03 February (15:30) Lyon vs Reims
FIXTURES: Saturday 03 February (15:30) Dijon vs Montpellier
FIXTURES: Sunday 04 February (22:00) Paris FC vs Lille OSC