Lyon looking for Lille revenge

Olympique Lyonnais have the opportunity to deal an early-season blow to another Ligue 1 title rival when LOSC Lille Métropole visit the Stade Gerland on Saturday.

'Make amends'
Having already won at FC Girondins de Bordeaux – runners-up in 2005/06 – the five-time French champions can open up a nine-point advantage over Lille with victory against the side that slipped to a 3-1 home defeat by Toulouse FC last weekend. The northern club twice overcame Gérard Houllier's team last term, however, and midfielder Florent Malouda is keen to avoid a repeat performance. "Lille have not changed a lot of things over the summer," said the French international. "They play as a team and will be keen to make amends for their result against Toulouse."

Doubling up
Lille prevailed by 3-1 at the Gerland last time around and also inflicted a 4-0 away loss on Lyon. Claude Puel's men reached the second round of the French League Cup on Tuesday with a 1-0 success against Ligue 2 outfit FC Istres – Lyon were granted a bye – and their style has caused Saturday's opponents problems in the past. A defensive approach, supplemented by swift counterattacks, could prove effective again.

Pressure on Bordeaux
Bordeaux are seven points off the pace and, having already fallen to Lyon, Lille and Olympique de Marseille, cannot afford another slip at home to promoted ES Troyes Aube Champagne. High-flying AS Nancy-Lorraine, in third, go to a Paris Saint-Germain FC side who have only seven points from their first six games although they did beat FC Lorient 3-1 in the League Cup on Wednesday.

Sunday tasks
On Sunday, Marseille – level with Lyon on 16 points but behind the champions on goals scored – travel to struggling FC Nantes Atlantique, who sacked coach Serge Le Dizet following their midweek League Cup reverse at home to Toulouse. Dizet's assistant Georges Éo has taken over but the Canaries, with just three points, face a daunting task as Marseille have conceded only two league goals, both penalties. The same day improving RC Lens, on the back of successive 3-0 victories, host AS Monaco FC, who are fourth from bottom with four points.