The Matchday 7 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Liverpool (England) and Lille (France) will take place on January 21 at Anfield. Liverpool vs. Lille: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 38;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.3;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 17%.
Predicted lineups for Liverpool vs. Lille
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker – Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson, Ibrahima Konate – Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch – Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah – Luis Diaz.
Lille (4-2-3-1): Lucas Chevalier – Ismaily, Alexsandro Ribeiro, Bafode Diakite, Aissa Mandi – Ngalayel Mukau, Benjamin Andre – Hakon Arnar Haraldsson, Ayoub Bouaddi, Remy Cabella – Jonathan David.
Liverpool
The English club was the first to secure a spot in the Champions League playoffs. They only need to avoid defeat in the upcoming match to progress directly to the Round of 16. The team has comfortably won all six of their group stage matches. They first defeated two Serie A representatives, then two Bundesliga opponents, and finally overcame two La Liga teams under Arne Slot's guidance. Notably, Liverpool has conceded only one goal in six rounds, a feat matched only by Inter in this year's Champions League.
Defender Joseph Gomez and forward Diogo Jota are sidelined due to injuries.
- The club has kept a clean sheet in five consecutive Champions League matches.
- The team has scored at least two goals in 10 of their last 13 games in this European competition.
- Liverpool has drawn in the first half in 9 of their last 11 home matches in this tournament.
Lille
The French team continues to delight their fans. In the last round, they defeated Sturm at home with a score of 3-2. This was the club's fourth win in their last five Champions League matches (also drawing with Juventus during this stretch). With 13 points, Lille remains among the top eight. If the club avoids defeat in the upcoming match, they will secure a spot in the Champions League playoffs.
Defenders Tiago Santos and Samuel Umtiti, midfielders Mathias Fernandez-Pardo, Andre Gomes, and Nabil Bentaleb, and forward Edon Zhegrova will miss the match due to injuries.
- Both teams have scored in 8 of Lille's last 11 games in this European competition.
- Exactly two or three goals have been scored in 9 of Lille's last 12 matches in this tournament.
- In Lille's last 20 away games in this European competition, there has been only one draw (7 wins and 12 losses).
Liverpool vs. Lille: Match Prediction
The toughest matches of the group stage are behind Liverpool. In the remaining two rounds, the Reds face Lille and PSV, so there is little doubt that Liverpool will secure a spot in the Round of 16. I do not expect high intensity or maximum focus from Liverpool in this game, as even a draw would suffice for them. This could be an opportunity for the visitors, who are more motivated than the hosts.
For Arne Slot, it is more important to avoid new injuries and maintain the good physical condition of his players. After all, Liverpool is striving for maximum results in four tournaments. With a safety net, I propose a positive handicap for the visitors, who have not lost by a large margin in the Champions League for 20 matches. Additionally, it's worth noting that Liverpool has won by two or more goals only once in their last nine matches in this European competition.
My prediction – Lille with a handicap (+2)
