A classic that puts at stake the vice-leadership of the French Championship in its 2017/2018 version was chosen to close the schedule of the eighteenth round of the competition, the penultimate of the first round. At Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon will host Olympique Marseille this Sunday, December 17. The start is scheduled for 18h (Brasília time).
In a tournament and that Paris Saint-Germain’s title achievement is a matter of time, the fight for second place seems to be the limit for rivals of the capital’s millionaire team. The duel gained even more importance after the disappointment caused by the teams in the Glass of the League of France.
Lyon’s recent performance
Lyon fell in the competition by beating Montpellier 4-1 on Wednesday, 13 December. It was his third loss in the last five games. Although one of those games, against Atalanta (1 to 0), by the Europa League, was only to meet table, the oscillating sequence was able to bring concerns to the fans.
With 35 points (ten wins, five draws and two losses) Lyon completed their seventeenth round tie with Olympique (ten wins, five draws and two losses) and Monaco, who would play on Friday against St Etienne. It took advantage only when considering the tiebreaker criteria.
Although the swing period can be minimized, Lyon’s poor home results can not be overlooked in an analysis of the club’s potential in this fight. The team managed to score in seven of their eight matches. However, he tied it three times. So, with 15 points (four wins, three draws and one defeat) is just the eighth best Ligue 1 boss.
Coach Bruno Genésio may not be able to rely on striker Bertrand Traore (13 matches in the 2017/2018 French Championship, three games) on Sunday. A knee injury has taken the player out of his last six outings and he is not expected to be released to face Olympique either.
The current form of Olympique de Marseille
The Marseille team’s downfall in the French League Cup was a little softer. Acting as a visitor, Olympique were drawn 2-2 by Rennes. He was only eliminated after being beaten in the penalty shootout.
Recent results also help ease disappointment over the downfall of the tournament. In the last ten matches, the team suffered only one defeat and maintains a series of nine games without losing, although the tie was the most common result in that period. It was five. Still achieved the classification for the second phase of the Europa League.
A great evolution for a team that came to be threatened with relegation in the backseat. Proof that investments made from the middle of last season and the European summer transfer window are working.
History of matches Lyon and Olympique de Marseille
Olympique have been unable to beat Lyon for seven games. However, in this period, started in 2014, the tie was the most common result. It happened five times. Lyon’s victories were two. Last season, the meetings were three. In Ligue 1, there was a goalless draw in Marseille and Lyon’s home win 3-1. For the French Cup, once again in Marseille, new equality, this time by 1 to 1.
Olympique de Marseille have been doing quite a regular season. He has 18 points as a visitor and 17 points as a principal. Lyon, on the other hand, is better away from their dominions than at home. He is the best visitor of Ligue 1 having added 20 points in this way. When only the results of the teams in their stadium are taken into account, it appears in the eighth position in the ranking.
In that way, the draw seems to be the best guessing option for the classic. It has a quotation of 3.60 in Rivalo. Victory of the owners of the house pays 2.00 and the visitors yields 3.50 for 1.