Olympique Lyon and Lille kick off the elite action in France, the Ligue leaders with a distinct eye cocked on the Champions League clash with AS Roma.
Since OL have been knocked out in each of the past editions of the Continental Cup, unable to pass the quarter-final stage, and they maintain a whopping eleven point difference above Lens, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gerard Houllier rest a few usual first eleven players.
Fábio Santos, the midfielder snapped up from Cruzeiro in the winter transfer window, may be given a chance in the first eleven. "In Brazil I was used to being in the first eleven, but here I have to show why all over again, and I hope I get the chance soon", explained the Brazilian.
Olympique Lyon (1st – 54 points) got their act back on track last round with a slim win over Lorient, but playing against minnows at home is a world away from playing the third-placed Lille
(3rd – 39 points).
The OL reservists are expected to see the game as an opportunity to prove themselves with the Champions league just around the corner. Houllier is expected to brief his men that a good performance against Lille will put them in the running for a first team place against Roma: a powerful carrot.
Saturday harbours the bulk of the action as
Saint Etienne (5th – 36 points) face Rennes (12th – 33 points). ‘Les Verts’ haven’t won in the last four games and need a win to avoid seeing any potential chances of a Champions League spot go up in smoke.
Nancy (11th – 34 points) host
Paris Saint-Germain (16th – 25 points) with the team from the Capital trying to stitch together their first two wins in a row this season. Paul le Guen appears to be slowly turning PSG around and will be looking for conformation away from home.
Troyes (3rd – 39 points) get paid a visit by
Girondins de Bordeaux (3rd – 39 points). Ricardo Gomes’ west coasters have been starting and stopping all season, but the win against Olympique Marseille last round was a shot in the arm.
Monaco (14th – 29 points) receive Lens (3rd – 39 points), ‘Les Sang et Or’ arriving on the crest of a wave after their 3-1 UEFA Cup win over Panathinaikos. Their hosts are finding their attempt to shin up the table complicated and will want to recover from the 4-2 defeat by PSG ASAP.
Olympique Marseille (4th – 37 points) host Nantes (19th – 21 points) with the obligation to recover from the defeat by Girondins and get their candidacy for a Champions League 2007-8 place back on track. The visitors should be easy meat, four games since their last win and battling against relegation already.
Ligue 1 (Rd.25) Fixture List
Friday 16/02/07
Lille x
Olympique Lyon
Saturday 17/02/07
Saint Etienne x Rennes
Lorient x Toulouse
Nancy x
Paris Saint-Germain
Sedan x Auxerre
Sochaux x Le Mans
Troyes x
Girondins de Bordeaux
Valenciennes x Nice
Sunday 18/02/07
Monaco x Lens
Olympique Marseille x Nantes
Goal.com - Ligue 1 Weekend Preview (Rd.25): Lyon Face Lille In Friday Feud
Ligue 1 Weekend Preview (Rd.25): Lyon Face Lille In Friday Feud
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