Bottom-of-the-table Lyon host Lorient at the Groupama Stadium on Sunday in the eighth round of Ligue 1.
The hosts are on a two-game losing run in the competition, while the away side have not won a game since defeating Lille in the third gameweek.
Match preview
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Another disappointing result for Lyon last weekend (2-0 loss at Reims) saw Fabio Grosso's side remain bottom in the table after seven gameweeks.
Les Gones have claimed two points from an available 21, failing to secure maximum points since August, thus leading to the departure of Laurent Blanc.
Grosso has to change the fortunes of a side that have netted only three goals in seven matches and have conceded 13 times.
The seven-time winners of Ligue 1 have failed to find the back of the net since the Italian took charge — 0-0 against Le Havre and suffering 1-0 and 2-0 losses to Brest and Reims respectively — and must find goals from somewhere to rise in the standings.
The underlying numbers show that Lyon should have netted more goals — they have had nine big chances and expected goals (xG) of 7.0 — but whether their luck turns this weekend remains to be seen.
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Lorient ideally should relish the opportunity of inflicting more misery on Lyon, but the away side's form heading into Sunday's game is equally discouraging.
Regis Le Bris's side have been beaten in their last two, with three defeats in four matching the home side's results.
Les Merlus' goalscoring record is not as awful as Lyon's — the away side's 10 goals outdoes Les Gones' three — giving Le Bris much-needed confidence before Sunday's encounter.
However, only one point has been secured on their travels, a creditable draw with Ligue 1 favourites Paris Saint-Germain on August 12, instantly lessening Lorient's excitement.
Sunday's game could go either way, but preventing Lyon from closing the four-point gap in the table could motivate the away side.
Team News
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Dejan Lovren is out with a thigh injury, while Paul Akouokou and Mama Balde could miss Sunday's game — the latter are touch-and-go.
However, Alexandre Lacazette should return to the side after missing out last week.
Lorient have several injury worries for Sunday's game, with Bonke Innocent, Formose Mendy, Quentin Boisgard and Ayman Kari doubtful for the club's Lyon visit.
Tiemoue Bakayoko and Aiyegun Tosin are unlikely to feature, even if they could return this month.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Kumbedi, Mata, Diomande, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Tolisso; Nuamah, Cherki, Moreira; Lacazette
Lorient possible starting lineup:
Mvogo; Talbi, Laporte, Toure; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Goff; Faivre, Kroupi, Bris
We say: Lyon 1-1 Lorient
Neither Lyon nor Lorient are pulling up trees in the league, and a point could be in the offing for both sides on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
