Breaking down the stats, first, we set our sights on the gatekeepers of the goals - the goalkeepers. Lyonnais's Anthony Lopes has been steady between the sticks, with a 7.08 rating and 14 saves. Strasbourg's Alaa Bellaarouch trails behind, with a 6.53 rating and 6 saves. Seems like Lopes has been busier, doesn't it?
The French may have dozens of words for cheese, but let's introduce fewer names here. Lyonnais top dogs have been Alexandre Lacazette and Saïd Benrahma, both bringing home 2 goals apiece in the past month with their varied pass accuracy being the only downside. For Strasbourg, Frédéric Guilbert and Dilane Bakwa have been consistent performers, probably jealous of Lacazette and Benrahma, given they each have only one goal to their name.
It's interesting to consider the past matchups, but the truth is, that's like checking out the wrapping paper rather than the present. Despite Strasbourg leading two of three recent face-offs, Lyonnais has been known to come back from worse.
Regular season record? We've got Lyonnais at 15-5-13 and Strasbourg with a less-than-stellar 10-9-14. As my grandma used to say, memories are pale companions to hard facts, but the recent results do hint, though, that Lyonnais seems to have hit a rhythm, while Strasbourg is swaying like a poorly built jenga tower.
So, dear punters, we are ready to rumble with the prediction. But remember, as unpredictable as a chameleon in a bag of Skittles, anything could happen. Drumroll, please.
Albert’s Prediction: Olympique Lyonnais by 2