Ligue 1 | Gameweek 11

Nov 10, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Stade Gerard Houllier

Lyonvs.St Etienne

Match preview

It's been a rough week for Lyon. They've been threatened with demotion to Ligue 2 due to financial issues, and their performance on the pitch hasn't improved much either.

Pierre Sage's team are still struggling with inconsistency, dropping back down the Ligue 1 table after a great run of form.

Sage was on shaky ground after Lyon picked up just four points from their first five league games. But then, from late September to mid-October, Lyon won five games in a row across all competitions.

Fourteen goals were scored in that time, and two of the wins came in Europe. But it was when Besiktas came to the Groupama Stadium that everything began to unravel again.

Just days after Lyon beat Le Havre 4-0, Besiktas got a rare away win in Europe. Since then, Sage's side have failed to win.

After that defeat, the team has drawn three games in a row. They lost the lead twice at home to Auxerre, but Malick Fofana's late goal saved them from losing at Lille.

That point keeps them in the top six for now, but it's a tight race at the top of the table and virtually nothing separates the entire division outside of the top three and above the relegation zone.

It looked like Lyon were going to get another late win on Thursday when Alexandre Lacazette put them 2-1 up against Hoffenheim three minutes into extra time.

However, the hosts responded immediately with Umut Tohumcu's 96th-minute goal, which tied the game once more. This meant that Lyon's winless streak continued and kept them outside the Europa League's top eight.

This fixture would be the ideal opportunity for OL to get back on track, in the first derby in front of a full crowd at the stadium since March 2020.

Lyon were on top in the fixture before Saint-Etienne got relegated in 2022. When Les Verts come back up, Les Gones will be looking to build on their recent record of four wins and a draw from the last five derbies.

Saint-Étienne haven't won on their last eight trips to Lyon. With their away form so far this season, it's unlikely they'll change that here.

Olivier Dall'Oglio's team are the only side yet to lead at any point on the road this season. With one point and 19 goals conceded in just five games, they really need to think about what they're doing.

The visitors are in the relegation zone going into the weekend, but they do have a win under their belt, having beaten Strasbourg 2-0 at home last weekend.

That puts them on par with Angers and Nantes in terms of points, but they're still feeling the effects of their 8-0 defeat at Nice. That's left their goal difference at minus-14.

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

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Lyon form (all competitions):

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Saint-Etienne Ligue 1 form:

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Team News

It looks like Lyon will have a full squad for this one, as Ernest Nuamah and Nemanja Matić are expected to return after brief absences.

Sage welcomed Gift Orban back to the squad in midweek after further disciplinary issues, and he started against Hoffenheim. However, with Said Benrahma and Fofana ahead of him in the pecking order, it's likely that the Nigerian will drop to the bench.

Remy Descamps did a great job in goal against Hoffenheim midweek, so the manager has some tough decisions to make about whether to keep Lucas Perri as the first-choice goalkeeper in the league.

Saint-Étienne will be without midfielder Mathieu Cafaro after he reached his yellow card limit, while winger Ben Old remains sidelined and could miss New Zealand duty next week.

Pierre Cornud might be a doubt as he's almost recovered from his injury, but this game will come too soon for Ibrahima Wadji, Thomas Monconduit and Anthony Briancon.

Possible starting lineup

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lucas Perri; Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Veretout, Tolisso; Benrahma, Cherki, Fofana; Lacazette

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:

Larsonneur; Macon, Batubinsika, Nade, Petrot; Bouchouari, Ekwah, Mouton; Boakye, Sissoko, Davitashvili