Lille vs. Reims Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 17 May 2025

Lille is set to host Reims in the final round of the Ligue 1 season at the Decathlon Arena-Stade Pierre-Mauroy. With Lille sitting in 5th place and vying for a strong finish, this match is significant as they aim to secure European competition for next season.

Jonathan David, Lille’s top scorer with 16 goals, will be under the spotlight amid transfer rumors linking him to Napoli. Expect Lille to press hard from the start, aiming to capitalize on their recent form and strong home record. Bruno Génésio’s side averages 1.60 goals in their last 5 matches and will be looking to exploit Reims’ 14th-place struggles.

Referee Willy Delajod, known for awarding penalties, will oversee the game. Reims, under coach Samba Diawara, has lost their last two matches and will miss key player Keito Nakamura due to suspension.

Weather is not expected to play a significant role in this encounter. Betting tip: Lille -1.50 (AH) looks promising given their recent dominance over Reims.

Lille vs Reims Prediction & Betting Tip

With Lille aiming for a European spot and Reims struggling lower down the table, this matchup seems to heavily favor the home side. Our recommended betting tip is:
Lille -1.50 (AH)

Lille’s strong home form and Reims’ struggles in recent games, along with Lille’s high-scoring potential and Reims’ key absences, make this bet promising.

Lille vs Reims Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Lille -1.50 (AH)	1.38

• Lille has won their last two encounters with Reims convincingly.
• Lille averages 1.60 goals per game in their last five matches, showcasing offensive prowess.
• Reims’ top scorer, Keito Nakamura, is suspended, weakening their attack significantly.

Given these factors, Lille is expected to press hard and secure a decisive win.

Lille vs Reims Odds

Here’s a look at the betting odds for the upcoming match between Lille and Reims:

Lille vs Reims Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Lille	1.38
Draw	4.81
Reims	7.76

Lille is the bookmaker’s favorite, reflecting their strong home form and overall position in the league. With top scorer Jonathan David in fine form and potential interest from SSC Napoli, he’ll be keen to make his mark against Reims.

Reims, currently 14th, has struggled on the road and faces further challenges with the suspension of their top scorer, Keito Nakamura.

Expect Lille to push for a commanding win, especially as they aim to secure a European spot.

Lille Team Analysis

Lille Recent Performance

Lille has had an impressive run of form recently, securing a spot in the upper echelon of the Ligue 1 standings. In their last five matches, Lille has shown resilience and attacking prowess:

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Brest	Lille	2025-05-10	Ligue 1	2-0 (Loss)
Lille	Marseille	2025-05-04	Ligue 1	1-1 (Draw)
Angers	Lille	2025-04-27	Ligue 1	0-2 (Win)
Lille	Auxerre	2025-04-20	Ligue 1	3-1 (Win)
Toulouse	Lille	2025-04-12	Ligue 1	1-2 (Win)

Recent Form: LDWWW

With an average of 1.60 goals scored per game in their last five matches and just one clean sheet, their defense isn’t watertight but their attack, led by Jonathan David, more than makes up for it. This positive momentum will be crucial as they face Reims in their final match of the season.

Lille Key Players

Lille’s standout performer this season is undoubtedly Jonathan David, who has netted 16 goals and provided five assists, making him the team’s top scorer and a significant threat to any defense. His potential transfer to Napoli is a hot topic, but for now, he’ll be focused on delivering in this crucial match.

In midfield, Nabil Bentaleb’s experience and versatility are invaluable, while Ismaily on the left-back position adds both defensive solidity and an attacking threat.

Expected lineup for Lille:

• Goalkeeper: Lucas Chevalier
• Defenders: Thomas Meunier, Bafode Diakite, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Ismaily
• Midfielders: Mitchel Bakker, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Benjamin Andre, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson
• Forwards: Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Jonathan David

Watch out for key battles like Jonathan David against Reims’ steadfast defender Joseph Okumu.

Lille Suspensions & Injuries

Lille will have to navigate this fixture without some key players due to injuries:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Tiago Santos	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for the season
Edon Zhegrova	Muscle injury	Late May 2025
Ethan Mbappe	Hamstring injury	Out for the season

The absence of Tiago Santos and Ethan Mbappe, both out for the rest of the season, will be a significant blow to Lille’s squad depth. Edon Zhegrova is also sidelined with a muscle injury but might return later in May.

Despite these absences, Lille have shown resilience and will be expected to adjust their lineup accordingly, especially with their eyes set on a strong finish to the season.

Lille Tactics and Formation

Lille Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Jonathan David
• Midfield Duo: Ngal’ayel Mukau, Benjamin André
• Defensive Backbone: Lucas Chevalier (Goalkeeper), Thomas Meunier, Aïssa Mandi, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Ismaily
• Recent Defensive Performance: 1 clean sheet in the last 5 games

Notable Strategy:

• Lille has demonstrated a particular knack for scoring late in matches, with most of their goals coming in the 76-90-minute interval this season. Expect them to maintain pressure throughout and look for opportunities to exploit Reims’ defensive lapses.
  Willy Delajod, the referee known for awarding 5 penalties this season, may also influence the tactics around penalty area play.

Reims Team Analysis

Reims Recent Performance

Reims have experienced a mixed bag of results in their recent matches.

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Reims	Saint-Étienne	2025-05-10	Ligue 1	0-2 (Loss)
Nice	Reims	2025-05-02	Ligue 1	1-0 (Loss)
Montpellier	Reims	2025-04-27	Ligue 1	0-0 (Draw)
Reims	Toulouse	2025-04-20	Ligue 1	1-0 (Win)
Lens	Reims	2025-04-11	Ligue 1	0-2 (Win)

Reims have secured 7 points from their last five matches. Despite their two recent losses, they have shown they can be solid defensively, with three clean sheets in their last five games. However, their scoring record isn’t as impressive, averaging only 0.60 goals per game. This inconsistent form has them sitting 14th in the league with 33 points. With their top scorer Keito Nakamura suspended, the team will need others to step up if they hope to secure points against Lille.

Reims Key Players

Reims will need their key players to step up, especially with top scorer Keito Nakamura suspended for this match.

Expected lineup for Reims:

• Goalkeeper: Yehvann Diouf
• Defenders: Hiroki Sekine, Mory Gbane, Joseph Okumu, Cédric Kipré, Sergio Akieme
• Midfielders: Junya Ito, Valentin Atangana Edoa, Amadou Kone, Ange Tia
• Forward: Jordan Siebatcheu

Junya Ito, with his pace and creativity, will be crucial in creating chances. The battle between Reims’ defenders and Lille’s prolific striker Jonathan David, who has netted 16 goals this season, will be a key duel.
Valentin Atangana Edoa’s role in the midfield will also be pivotal to break up Lille’s play and provide support in both defense and attack.

Reims Suspensions & Injuries

Reims have several key players out due to injuries and suspensions, which could pose significant challenges in their match against Lille.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Reda Khadra	Cruciate ligament injury	Late May 2025
Mohammed Daramy	Knee injury	Late May 2025
Yaya Fofana	Ankle injury	Late May 2025
Player	Suspension	Expected return
—————–	————————————–	——————-
Keito Nakamura	Yellow cards (ban)	Next match

Nakamura’s suspension is a substantial blow, with the top scorer missing out. Coupled with the injuries to Khadra, Daramy, and Fofana, Reims will be stretched thin, both in defense and attack.

These absences will necessitate a tactical reshuffle from coach Samba Diawara, who will rely heavily on the remaining fit players to step up in this challenging fixture.

Reims Tactics and Formation

Reims’ Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 5-4-1
• Key Forward: Jordan Siebatcheu
• Midfield Setup: Right midfielder – Junya Ito, Right central midfielder – Valentin Atangana Edoa, Left central midfielder – Amadou Kone, Left midfielder – Ange Tia
• Defensive Line: Right back – Hiroki Sekine, Right centre back – Mory Gbane, Central back – Joseph Okumu, Left centre back – Cédric Kipré, Left back – Sergio Akieme
• Goalkeeper: Yehvann Diouf

Defensive Strength: Reims boast three clean sheets in their last five matches, demonstrating a resilient defensive structure.

Notable Strategy: With a likely focus on strong defensive play, Reims will pack their backline to stifle Lille’s attacking threats. They may adopt a counter-attacking strategy, utilising the pace and creativity of Junya Ito and Ange Tia on the flanks. Coach Samba Diawara’s primary challenge will be organising a compact formation to withstand Lille’s attacking prowess while missing key players like Keito Nakamura.

Lille vs Reims Head-to-Head Statistics

Home team	Away team	Date	Competition	Result
Reims	Lille	2024-08-17	Ligue 1	0-2 (Loss)
Reims	Lille	2024-03-02	Ligue 1	0-1 (Loss)
Lille	Reims	2023-09-26	Ligue 1	1-2 (Loss)
Reims	Lille	2023-05-06	Ligue 1	1-0 (Loss)
Lille	Reims	2023-01-02	Ligue 1	1-1 (Draw)

Lille have had the upper hand in recent encounters, winning three of the last five matches against Reims. They have kept clean sheets in their last two meetings, suggesting a solid defensive record against Reims.

Reims, however, managed to secure a victory in their visit to Lille back in September 2023. The draw in January 2023 also highlights Reims’ potential to challenge Lille, making the match intriguing despite Lille being the favourites.

Odds accurate as of 15/05/2025 20:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.