Gerard Houllier’s Lyon will be looking to get back to winning ways at Sochaux on Saturday after suffering their first defeat of the season as they exited the French League Cup.
The loss to Nantes 4-3 on penalties after the match finished 1-1 after extra time ended Houllier’s dream of the four-time French champions ”winning everything” this season.
But with a seven-point berth at the top of the league table, Lyon are confident of coming away with all three points from Sochaux, who are hovering above the relegation zone.
Despite the modest credentials of their opponents Houllier cannot forget that Sochaux, who also crashed out of the League Cup, shocked Monaco 2-1 on their home ground last weekend.
Lyon can however expect to be boosted by the return of Gregory Coupet, Juninho, Tiago and Sylvain Wiltord, who were all rested from midweek action.
Second-placed Paris Saint Germain face a tricky task of clawing back some of Lyon’s advantage when they travel to Auxerre, in seventh position, on Sunday.
PSG midfielder Jerome Rothen insists that the pressure is on Lyon.
”It’s a long season. For the moment Lyon are flying high but they could suffer a drop in form. We have to profit from that.
”The second position suits us nicely at the moment.”
Third-placed Bordeaux, 1-0 League Cup winners over Marseille, travel to lowly Troyes, sitting third from bottom with just two wins from 12 games.
Bordeaux manager Ricardo looks as if he can count on all his squad with the exception of Colombian striker Perea, suffering from tendonitis, and with defender Kodjo Afanou to undergo a fitness test on his thigh on Friday.
French international midfielder Rio Mavuba, Brazilian World Cup winner Denilson and Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, substituted in Wednesday’s win over Marseille, are expected to start.
Marseille, sitting ninth, host fifth-placed Lille at the Stade Velodrome.
Coach Jean Fernandez looks set to have Franck Ribery and Frederic Dehu back from injury, but strikers Mamadou Niang (ankle) and Koke, and defender Bostjan Cesar (knee) are still uncertain.
Francesco Guidolin’s Monaco host struggling Ajaccio at their Stade Louis II without defender Sebastien Squillaci and striker David Gigliotti who are both sidelined for several weeks after suffering right thigh injuries during their League Cup win over
Dijon.
Lens and Nantes host Toulouse and Le Mans respectively, while tailenders Metz travel to Rennes looking for their first win of the season a task which also faces neighbouring Strasbourg who host St Etienne. – Sapa-AFP