Lyon will be aiming to return to winning ways when they welcome a struggling Brest side for round 24 of Ligue 1 this Sunday.
Les Gones head into this clash on the back of a pulsating defeat to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain last weekend, a result that leaves them sixth in the standings with 36 points, four adrift of the Europa League spot and five behind Lille, who currently occupy the Champions League qualifiers place.
Match preview
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After dispatching relegation-threatened Reims and Montpellier HSC in emphatic fashion, Lyon stumbled in their biggest test, falling short of a third successive victory in Sunday's 3-2 loss to PSG at Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
That enthralling contest saw the decisive moments unfold in the second half, with the visitors breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute through Achraf Hakimi before Ousmane Dembele doubled the lead five minutes later, setting the stage for a frantic finale in the closing 10 minutes.
Ryan Cherki pulled one back for the hosts in the 83rd minute, but any hopes of a dramatic turnaround were short-lived as Hakimi struck again to restore PSG's two-goal cushion, rendering Corentin Tolisso's stoppage-time effort nothing more than a footnote in an already settled contest.
With that defeat coming immediately after their triumph over Montpellier, OL must now contend with a troubling pattern to avoid another prolonged drought, as their previous win against this very opponent in the reverse fixture preceded a seven-match winless run across all competitions – four of those in the top flight – having started that streak with a loss as well.
However, the Kids will take comfort in their formidable home record against Brest, a team they have defeated in eight of their 12 Ligue 1 meetings on their own turf, remaining unbeaten in the rest – making this weekend's visitors the only 2024-25 side against whom they hold such a record.
Lyon have won six of the 11 league games played on their ground this season, their 20 points from those encounters leaving Paulo Fonseca's side as the eighth-best home team in the division – a strength they will be relying on as they look to bounce back to winning ways.
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Meanwhile, Brest enter this encounter in stuttering form, having failed to record victory in each of their last five matches across all competitions, comprising two draws and three losses – a costly run that has seen them bow out of two tournaments.
After suffering a humiliating Champions League exit at the hands of PSG over a two-legged 10-0 aggregate scoreline, the Pirates were most recently stunned in Coupe de France by Ligue 2 side Dunkerque in a 3-2 home defeat in the quarter-finals, bringing an end to their cup journey.
The remaining two games in Brest's winless streak have come in the league, alternating between those three damaging losses, having posted a 2-2 stalemate against Auxerre before going goalless on their trip to Strasbourg in their most recent top-flight outing, a result that sees Eric Roy's side retain ninth place, three points behind this weekend's hosts.
That outcome also extended Les Pirates' unbeaten streak on the road in Ligue 1 to four, having recorded wins in each of their previous three encounters, though 13 points from 12 such matches leave them as the ninth-worst travellers in the division.
Team News
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With Lyon seemingly finishing the game against PSG unscathed, they enter this weekend with a clean bill of health, leaving Fonseca with a wealth of options to pick from.
Georges Mikautadze could return to lead the line after coming off the bench in a 10-minute cameo last time out to set up Cherki's goal, with the latter, who assumed the number nine position, possibly dropping back.
Cherki could operate from the flanks in a three-man advanced midfield, most likely including the in-form Tolisso, who netted for a fourth consecutive match against PSG.
Bradley Locko remains sidelined for Brest with an Achilles tendon problem, while Ibrahim Salah is unavailable until mid-March due to a foot injury, as well as Romain Del Castillo, who continues his recovery from a knee problem.
Meanwhile, Jordan Amavi returned to the squad, named as an unused substitute following a hamstring injury that has kept him out since January 11, and he could get a few minutes here to regain match fitness.
Marco Bizot is expected to resume league action between the sticks after sitting out the cup encounter against Dunkerque, with Gregoire Coudert, who was in goal in that match, expected to make way.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Perri; Kumbedi, Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Matic, Tessmann; Cherki, Tolisso, Nuamah; Mikautadze
Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Haidara; Magnetti, Lees-Melou, Camara; Pereira-Lage, Ajorque, Sima
We say: Lyon 2-1 Brest
While Lyon head into this encounter on the back of a defeat, falling to a PSG side that has dominated the league is hardly a cause for concern regarding a dip in form.
The hosts are expected to respond with a win against Brest, given their strong record on their ground in this fixture, though it may not come easily considering the visitors' recent upturn in away performances.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Adeyeye Oluwapelumi
