Two teams that are set to engage themselves in an encounter after a time span of more than three decades, with one seeking to win the championship, while the other intending to do just enough to ensure their presence in the Ligue 1 next season.
Olympique Lyonnais and Stade de Reims will face each other at Stade de Gerland, on 18th November, 2012. Lyon is on 5th place with 22 points from 11 games, while Stade de Reims is on 12th with 15 points from 12 games .
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Olympique-Lyonnais-c40130
Olympique Lyon have been one of the most attacking sides this season so far. Les Gones have gained 22 points from 11 games played. They also have the best home record this season so far, with five wins and only one loss that was to Girondins de Bordeaux
(0-2).
The team manager, Remi Garde, targets a top three finish that would secure themselves some European action next season. Although, he doesn’t rule out the possiblity of winning the Ligue 1 title, Garde wants to have a realistic approach in terms of goals
and objectives. Garde is confident about his team’s performance but is also cautious about the upcoming game against Stade de Reims, stating that they have given clubs hard time and he is expecting a fight back as the two sides are meeting after a long gap
of more than 30 years.
Luckily for Lyon, Bafetimbi Gomis is in top form. The hitman has scored 5 goals this season already and looks keen on scoring more. Gomis is considered as a dangerous striker who not only has the ability to score goals, but also involve himself in a physical
gameplay if needed be.
Moreover, Lisandro Lopez has scored four goals this season so far and seems to be doing a pretty good http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 as team’s skipper. The club's record signing has been impressive since joining the Rhone giants in 2009.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michel-Bastos-c25461 are both still out injured. But the team has done well during the pair's absence.
If Les Gones manage to win the game against Stade de Reims, this would provide them the chance to go on top of the table, ahead of current leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Players to watch out for: Bafetimbi Gomis and Lisandro Lopez are the potential danger men. Moreover, Maxime Gonalons, who has featured in all of Ligue 1 games for Olympique Lyonnais, is a player who has the capability to score for his team
when required. And keeping in mind his ability, he’s turned out to be one of Remi Garde’s favorites this season.
Stade de Reims
The club is making a return to the Ligue 1 after a time span of 33 years. A lot has changed since then, ranging from the gameplay dynamics and the big names in Ligue 1.
Under Herbert Fourneir’s management, the club has attained two consecutive promotions, and are in a good position in the Ligue 1 standings.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Antoine-Devaux-c6251 seems to be the main architect for Stade de Reims. Despite Stade de Reim’s low goal scoring, the Frenchman has a total of 3 assists to his name for the current season.
Gaetan Courtet is their top goal scorer. And it’s about time that Herbert Fourneir provides him a starting spot in the team, ahead of Kamel Ghilas and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Fauvergue-c27812. The Frenchman has scored 4 goals this season, and is the club's top scorer for 2012/13
so far.
Stade de Reims need at least a point to maintain their mid-table position. A victory would definitely be a huge morale boost for them, but that hardly seems like a possibility considering the circumstances.
Players to watch out for: Gaetan Courtet has been more of a super sub lately and manages to score goals when called in, while http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Rigonato has also netted three times this season for Reims.
Prediction
In terms of history, Stade de Reims has the upper hand among the two clubs. Lyon has hosted Stade de Reims 21 times, out of which 9 games were won by Reims, 5 by Lyon and 7 ended up as stalemates.
However, Lyon has emerged to be a giant in French football in the last decade. OL has been impressive at home of late, while Stade de Reims seem to struggle. They have not been able to win a single game away from home.
Considering OL’s attacking capability and Reims’ current winless streak, it would be an easy win for Les Gones.
Predicted score: Lyon 2–0 Stade de Reims.
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