UEFA Champions League
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Played
December 5, 2012 7:45 PM GMT
Grand Stade Lille Métropole — Villeneuve d'Ascq
Referee:‬ A. Stavrev‎
Attendance:‬ 40036‎
 
 
Jonas 36′ (PG)

Lille - Valencia Preview: Los Che eye Group F top spot

The Liga outfit travel to France knowing they must better Bayern Munich's result against BATE Borisov to win the group and secure a potentially favourable draw in the round of 16

By Karthick Arvinth

More On :  LOSC Lille Métropole, Valencia CF, LOSC Lille Métropole vs Valencia CF
Nelson Valdez - Valencia CF
Nelson Valdez - Valencia CF
  PROBABLE LINEUPS

LILLE

Elana
Debuchy, Basa, Rozehnal, Beria
Balmont, Gueye, Martin
Kalou, Roux, Rodelin
VALENCIA

Alves
Pereira, Rami, R Costa, Cissokho
Gago, T Costa
Feghouli, Banega, Guardado
Valdez

Lille could welcome back striker Ryan Mendes from an ankle injury for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Valencia at the Grand Stade Lille Metropole.

Fellow attacker Tulio de Melo is sidelined with a hamstring problem, while defender Djibril Sidibe and midfielder Benoit Pedretti are suspended.

With Lille guaranteed to finish bottom of Group F, boss Rudi Garcia is likely to make several changes to the side that played out a goalless draw with Bastia on Saturday.

Valencia, meanwhile, are without injured duo Sergio Canales and Jeremy Mathieu, while Antonio Barragan and Roberto Soldado serve suspensions.

Newly-appointed coach Ernesto Valverde is expected to watch his team from the stands, with caretaker boss Salvador Gonzalez taking charge from the touchline.

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Lille are on a three-match winless run in Ligue 1 and have failed to register on the scoresheet in that sequence.
  • Les Dogues have never lost to Spanish opposition at home in five outings (W2, D3).
  • Lille have received 17 yellow cards in the Champions League this season, more than any other club.
  • Valencia have won just two of their last six matches in all competitions.
  • The Mestalla club are on a 16-match unbeaten run against French teams since losing the first leg of the 1979-80 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final against Nantes.
  • To top Group F, Valencia must better Bayern Munich's result against BATE Borisov in the other group match. A Bayern win will see the Bundesliga side through as group winners regardless of the outcome in northern France.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • LOSC Lille Métropole 1-2 Valencia CF
    17.62 %
  • LOSC Lille Métropole 0-2 Valencia CF
    17.62 %
  • LOSC Lille Métropole 1-1 Valencia CF
    10.25 %
Head to Head
UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Dec 5, 2012 LOSC Lille Métropole 0 - Valencia CF 1
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UEFA Champions League ‎(UCL)‎ Oct 2, 2012 Valencia CF 2 - LOSC Lille Métropole 0
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UEFA Europa League ‎(EL)‎ Dec 2, 2009 Valencia CF 3 - LOSC Lille Métropole 1
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UEFA Europa League ‎(EL)‎ Sep 17, 2009 LOSC Lille Métropole 1 - Valencia CF 1
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Last Five Matches
LOSC Lille Métropole
May 18, 2013Montpellier HSC 0 - LOSC Lille Métropole 0FRA1
May 10, 2013LOSC Lille Métropole 3 - Stade de Reims 0FRA1
May 4, 2013Toulouse FC 4 - LOSC Lille Métropole 2FRA1
Apr 26, 2013LOSC Lille Métropole 3 - FC Sochaux 3FRA1
Apr 21, 2013SC Bastia 1 - LOSC Lille Métropole 2FRA1
Valencia CF
May 18, 2013Getafe 0 - Valencia CF 1LIGA
May 12, 2013Rayo Vallecano 0 - Valencia CF 4LIGA
May 4, 2013Valencia CF 4 - Osasuna 0LIGA
Apr 28, 2013Real Sociedad 4 - Valencia CF 2LIGA
Apr 20, 2013Valencia CF 5 - Malaga 1LIGA
Odds
Returns: Lille £5010.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Draw £230.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Valencia £31.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Team News
Available Squads
1Steeve ElanaGoalkeeper
3Lucas DigneDefender
18Franck BeriaDefender
22A. ChedjouDefender
25Marko BasaDefender
4Florent BalmontMidfielder
5Idrissa GueyeMidfielder
24Rio Antonio MavubaMidfielder
21Salomon KalouStriker
-Gianni BrunoStriker
20R. RodelinStriker
-Mickaël LandreauGoalkeeper
2Mathieu DebuchyDefender
14David RozehnalDefender
21Laurent BonnartDefender
14Marvin MartinMidfielder
7Dimitri PayetStriker
26Nolan RouxStriker
13GuaitaGoalkeeper
20Aly CissokhoDefender
4Adil RamiDefender
18Víctor RuizDefender
20Ricardo CostaDefender
6AlbeldaMidfielder
8Sofiane FeghouliMidfielder
18Jose Andrés GuardadoMidfielder
24Tino CostaMidfielder
7JonasStriker
18Haedo ValdézStriker
1Diego AlvesGoalkeeper
8Fernando GagoMidfielder
10Ever BanegaMidfielder
-Jonathan VieraMidfielder
21ParejoMidfielder
28Juan BernatMidfielder
14Pablo PiattiStriker
Players to Watch
Salomon Kalou
Salomon Kalou
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 21
Games Goals YC RC
7 1 0 0
The Ivory Coast international has not managed to establish himself in the Lille first team despite netting a crucial winner against Brest in Ligue 1 in November. The 27-year-old will look to make the most of this opportunity and enhance his chances of holding down a regular starting berth.
Haedo Valdéz
Haedo Valdéz
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 18
Games Goals YC RC
7 1 0 0
The Paraguayan looks set to make a rare start in attack in place of the suspended Roberto Soldado as he vies to extend his scoring run following the Copa del Rey win over Llagostera. Valdez will look to cash in on the counterattack and fire Valencia to top spot in Group F.
Prediction
Despite their stuttering domestic form, Valencia have been solid away from home in Europe and they will be keen to bounce back after the 5-2 home defeat against Real Sociedad at the weekend.
Editor's Prediction
Lille 1
Valencia 2
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid 		12 0
Robert Lewandowski Robert Lewandowski
Striker
Dortmund 		10 1
Thomas Müller Thomas Müller
Striker
Bayern 		8 1
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona 		8 0
Burak Yılmaz Burak Yılmaz
Striker
Galatasaray 		8 0