Friday Football Tips: Lacazette to add to Troyes' woes

Lyon v Troyes
Friday 19 August, 20:00
Live on BT Sport 1

We're tried and failed with some long shots in this column so far this week so, with a limited Friday programme, now looks a good time to go back to the bread and butter.

Lyon really should be winning this encounter with Troyes already looking like they could struggle this season.

Having finished 15th last term, they've lost two out of two so far in the new campaign, conceding three goals on each occasion. Last week's 3-0 home loss to newly-promoted Toulouse was particularly worrying.

Now they must travel to a Lyon side on the up following the return of former heroes Alexander Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso in the summer. Argentina left-back Nicolas Tagliafico and highly-rated teenager Johann Lepenant have also arrived.

Lyon have started well enough, although they've only played once, winning 2-1 at home to Ajaccio.

They flew out of the blocks in that game, leading 2-0 early on before keeper Anthony Lopes was sent off - he's suspended for this one, while Tolisso is unlikely to start with his manager saying he is "not ready for 90 minutes" yet.

Midfielder Maxence Caqueret should be back in the starting XI though.
However, Lacazette looks the man to follow.

He's been welcomed back with open arms, trusted with both the centre-forward role and penalty-taking duties - he scored from the spot against Ajaccio.

With lively forwards Tete and Karl Toko Ekambi either side of him, the former France international should get chances against this defence.

Backing Lyon to win on the -1 handicap line with Lacazette among the scorers via the Bet Builder option pays 7/4 which looks fair.

Ligue 1: Read James Eastham's full weekend preview!