The 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season continues at a frantic pace, and Matchday 7 offers two distinct but no less intense matches on Sunday, October 5th. First, we make our way to the Groupama Stadium for a confrontation between an impeccable Olympique Lyonnais and a crisis-ridden FC Toulouse. Immediately afterward, the action shifts to the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, where a crisis-ridden AJ Auxerre hosts a solid, upward-spiraling RC Lens side.

These matches are vital in dictating the early-season narrative. Lyon wants to maintain a flawless defensive record and remain shoulder-to-shoulder with the pacesetters, while both Auxerre and Toulouse desperately need points to prevent themselves from getting sucked into a costly relegation fight. The outcomes will test tactical discipline, exploit key absences, and ultimately dictate the destiny of all four sides until the next international break.

• Date: Sunday, October 5th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 13:00 UTC (15:00 CEST)

• Venue: Groupama Stadium, Lyon

• Competition: Ligue 1 (Matchday 7)

Olympique Lyonnais' Ligue 1 competition has gotten off to an incredible start.

• Form: Lyon sit at the top of the table with a good record (W5, L1) that has shown defensive strength. Recent form have included an upset 1-0 win against Lille and a 2-0 win in the Europa League, their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions.

• Defensive Mastery: The team is yet to concede a goal in their last four consecutive matches in all competitions and has conceded the fewest goals in Ligue 1 (0.5 per game).

• Home Fortress: The team hasn't given up a goal in their last four games in any competition, and they have given up the fewest goals in Ligue 1 (0.5 per game).

FC Toulouse began the season brightly but have now hit a rut, and they desperately need a result to regain confidence.

• Form: Toulouse have been in poor form recently (D1, L3 in their last four league games) and sit 10th in the table.

• Defensive Woes: Carles Martínez Novell's team had not conceded any goals in their opening two games, but have conceded 11 since, including six against PSG.

• Late Bloomers: Toulouse's second-half performance is one of the trends for them since eight of their nine goals scored have been in the last 45 minutes of play.

The head-to-head record overwhelmingly favors Lyon, and Groupama Stadium is a dreaded visit for the guests.

• Lyon's Dominance: Lyon is unbeaten in their last 18 head-to-head encounters with Toulouse (W15, D3) and has never lost to them at home in Ligue 1 since the visitors were re-established in 1970.

• Clean Sheets: Lyon has maintained a clean sheet in their last two games against Toulouse at Groupama Stadium.

Injuries & Suspensions: Lyon will be without key players like Orel Mangala and Ernest Nuamah due to injury. Abner Vinícius (groin) and goalkeeper Rémy Descamps (wrist) are also out. Toulouse will be without Niklas Schmidt (knee) and Rafik Messali (ankle).

1. Lyon Predicted XI (4-3-3): Dominik Greif; Nicolás Tagliafico, Moussa Niakhaté, Clinton Mata, Raúl Asencio; Corentin Tolisso, Tanner Tessmann, Adam Karabec; Malick Fofana, Martin Satriano, Gift Orban.

2. Toulouse Predicted XI (4-3-3): Guillaume Restes; Rasmus Nicolaisen, Charlie Cresswell, Logan Costa, Gabriel Suazo; Vincent Sierro, Stijn Spierings, César Gelabert; Frank Magri, Thijs Dallinga, Aron Donnum.

• Lacazette vs. Nicolaisen/Toulouse Defense: Rasmus Nicolaisen will make it hard for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette (or Martin Satriano or Mikautadze) to score because he is so big.

• Fonseca's Press vs. Martínez's Midfield: Lyon's high press will look to punish Toulouse's sluggish distribution of the ball and regain the ball high up the pitch.

• The 'Win-to-Nil' Strategy: Lyon's top goal will be to keep Toulouse out of the game for the first forty-five minutes in order to stifle the visitor's late-game surge, especially considering their incredible run of clean sheets.

• Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 19:05 UTC (21:05 CEST)

• Venue: Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps, Auxerre

• Competition: Ligue 1 (Matchday 7)

AJ Auxerre is not consistent but has been good at home.

• Form: Auxerre has a poor record of four losses and two wins in their recent six matches. They are placed 14th in the table.

• Recent Setback: They lost their latest game 2-0 to Paris Saint-Germain, though they captured the all-important 1-0 against Toulouse in the last game.

• Home Strength: They have garnered all 6 points of their Ligue 1 season at home and remain a considerably tougher side to beat at the Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps.

RC Lens has been robust and organized and has emerged as a European hopeful.

• Form: Lens is in decent form with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five league games. They sit in 8th place.

• Defensive Reliability: Lens has conceded only 5 goals in 6 Ligue 1 matches, only bettered by PSG (4) and Lyon (3).

• Recent Form: Pierre Sage's men secured a resounding 3-0 victory over Lille before drawing 0-0 with Rennes, and they have shown good recent form.

The head-to-head record in this fixture favors Lens, but Auxerre has managed to pick up vital results when hosting.

Recent Trend: The contest has been volatile, with a 4-0 win in April 2025 for Auxerre coming after a 2-2 draw in December 2024, indicating unpredictability.

Injuries & Suspensions: Auxerre miss Sinaly Diomandé (thigh strain) and Clément Akpa (adductor pain). Lens will be without defender Deiver Machado (knee issue) and forward Fode Sylla (knock). Jonathan Gradit is suspended after receiving a straight red card in their last game.

1. Auxerre Predicted XI (4-3-3): Léon; Senaya, Siwe, Sierralta, Mensah, Oppegard; Sinayoko, Owusu, Danois, Loader; Mara.

2. Lens Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Samba; Danso, Medina, Frankowski; Aguilar, Thomasson, Abdul Samed, Udol; Costa, Said; Wahi.

• Wahi Against Auxerre's Defense: Lens striker Elye Wahi will look to exploit the back of Auxerre, which has let eight goals in six games.

• Auxerre Home Comeback: Auxerre will depend on the speed of Lassine Sinayoko to quicken up the counterattacks in a bid to equalize against a tightly-drilled Lens.

The betting market heavily favors Lyon in the first match and has Lens as the slight favorite in the second, an indication of the quality of each team.

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This match asks the classic question: Can Toulouse's goal threat equal Lyon's defensive prowess? With Lyon's immaculate home record and their astounding run of clean sheets, the smart money is on their structured framework. Lyon's better team will lead them to victory even though Toulouse will put up a fight in the second half.

• Final Score Prediction: Lyon 1 - 0 Toulouse

Lens are marginal favorites due to their general good form and improved defensive record. Auxerre's superb home record, however, makes them a difficult side to visit, and Lens losing injured key defender Jonathan Gradit (suspended) will expose their defense. We believe in a close, low-scoring affair, with Lens edging it on the back of their clinical finishing in front of goal.

• Final Score Prediction: Lens 2 - 1 Auxerre

These two Ligue 1 matches will have significant implications at both ends of the table. A win for Lyon would see them continue to push for the top, whilst a win for Lens would solidify their position as European contenders. The scene is set for an afternoon of top-drama and high-quality football.