The reigning champions take on the league leaders at Stade de Gerland in what could be one of the most decisive last few games of the 2012/2013 Ligue 1 Championnat
Stade de Gerland, Lyon will see league leaders Olympique Lyonnais take on reigning Ligue 1 champions Montpellier Herault in week 15 of the 2012/2013 Ligue 1 Championnat in a game that Remi Garde’s side would really want to win in a bid to keep some breathing
distance between themselves and the chasing pack.
After suffering their biggest defeat so far in the season at the hands of Toulouse (3-0), http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130 bounced back in style with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Velodrome on Wednesday night.
Bafetimbi Gomis scored his first Ligue 1 hat-trick in that game and Remi Garde is clearly pleased to see the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 international taking so much responsibility on his shoulders. In the aftermath of the 4-1 win over Elie Baup’s side, Garde had praised the
former AS Saint-Etienne striker for becoming so clinical in front of goal.
“He plays the role of a locomotive in the team, that’s for sure. At Toulouse he’d also tried to lift his teammates. In the OM game he was essential as a pivot, precious in his movements and clinical in front of goal. It was maybe his best match since I have
been OL coach.”
That result took Lyon back to the top of Ligue 1 and they now lead Paris Saint-Germain and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-de-Marseille-c40127 by two points. Now, it is the turn of Montpellier Herault to face a side that averages two points per game in the league at the moment and it
will be quite a fascinating contest between two entertaining sides.
After missing the Marseille win, Yoann Gourcuff could also be in contention for a place in midfielder. However, after a good performance by the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Steed-Malbranque-c33957 and Clement, it remains to be seen if Garde would really want to change the same team
that did ever so well against Les Phoceens on Wednesday night.
Flies changing their donkey
Montpellier on the other hand, enter this game on the back of a morale-boosting win in the Coupe de la Ligue which assured Rene Girard’s side a place in the semi-finals of the competition. The final score was 3-2 against OGC Nice with teenager, Jonathan
Tinhan scoring the deciding goal for his side.
The likes of Younes Belhanda and Gaetan Charbonnier were rested for that game but would be back in the starting XI against a Lyon side that despite its financial woes, has been giving consistent performances in the Championnat.
And, after a poor start to their title defence, Montpellier have improved considerably and are currently on a five-game unbeaten run which includes two wins and three draws. Last week, La Paillade beat Bordeaux 1-0 at home thanks to a Remy Cabella goal and
now, Girard’s side would be looking to building on that win.
Commenting after the Nice game, Girard said, “It’s good for the fans as they saw five goals. I could have done without so many but we managed to make the difference. It was a good display from my lads and young Tinhan scoring the winner is superb. Our confidence
has returned after a complicated start to the season. It doesn’t take much in football for flies to change their donkey.”
Team news
Lyon
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Dejan-Lovren-c10779 and Lisandro Lopez are still out.
Montpellier
Younes Belhanda and Gaetan Charbonnier were rested for the cup game but are very likely to return to first-team action. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cyril-Jeunechamp-c9678 has been suspended for an indefinite period by the LFP disciplinary
commission. Furthermore, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Garry-Bocaly-c14429 are set to miss out on the game against Les Gones.
Predictions
Although they have started showing signs of life, Montpellier will struggle against an in-from Lyon side that will have a lot of depth in the bench as well in case they need it.
Predicted final score: Lyon 2-1 Montpellier
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