Lyon and Montpellier HSC lock horns for the 60th time in Ligue 1 on Saturday, with the hosts seeking a 30th win against their upcoming opponents.
There were differing fortunes for the two sides against fourth-tier opposition in the Coupe de France to end 2024, with Montpellier suffering one of the worst results in their history.
Match preview
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Lyon may have lost to Paris Saint-Germain in their last league fixture of 2024, but they still ended the year brilliantly to keep them in top four contention.
That was their first defeat away from home since the opening day of the season, and they followed it up by winning at Feignies-Aulnoye in the Coupe de France to seal their place in the round of 32.
Prior to the PSG defeat though, Lyon made light work of Angers and Nice, sweeping both aside scoring seven goals in the process to keep them fifth, just two points behind Lille.
Monaco have played a game more in third, meaning if Lyon win here, the gap to the automatic Champions League places will be just two points as well, in a congested race for those illustrious positions.
Even on the continent Lyon have impressed, ending Eintracht Frankfurt's record unbeaten run in the Europa League on matchday six with a 3-2 win here at the Groupama Stadium, but before returning to the European stage, Pierre Sage's men have three league games and another Coupe de France tie to navigate.
With just two defeats in 17 matches, the odds are hugely stacked in their favour, but they have failed to win their first match after the winter break in all of the last three seasons, and continuing that trend will see them equal their previous worst run, set during the 1980s.
However, it would be a mighty shock if the hosts did not get the better of a shellshocked Montpellier side that were crying out for the winter break to come.
Not only were Jean-Louis Gasset's side rock bottom of Ligue 1 to finish 2024, they were on the receiving end of one of the biggest shocks in Coupe de France history.
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Fourth-tier Le Puy-en-Velay thrashed the Ligue 1 outfit 4-0 in their round of 64 tie - the biggest margin of defeat ever suffered by a top-flight club against a team from the third division or lower in the competition's history.
With 11 defeats in their last 15 games, Montpellier have a 100% record of losing on the road this season after that humbling in the cup against the minnows, ahead of facing one of the most in-form teams in France.
Montpellier have just nine points on the board, and 16 of the 17 teams to be on single digits for points at this stage of a Ligue 1 season in the 21st century have gone on to be relegated.
However, the quality at the bottom is not quite as high as it has been in years gone by, with Montpellier only four points from safety, so all eyes will be on the clash with Angers in a week's time at home.
Team News
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Duje Caleta-Car's sixth booking of the season triggered a two-game ban for the Lyon defender, and he will serve the last of that here.
Fellow defender Nicolas Tagliafico is also suspended, but missed the last game with injury anyway and would have been doubtful for this one.
Gift Orban and Wilfried Zaha were left out entirely and look set to depart this month, following in the footsteps of Anthony Lopes, who has already joined Nantes, while Thiago Almada will not yet be available, with his transfer from Botafogo not going through until January 5.
Montpellier also have two players missing through suspension, with yellow card accumulation ruling both Enzo Tcahto and Modibo Sagnan out of this one.
Christopher Jullien is out long term with a cruciate knee injury, alongside Kiki Kouyate, Birama Toure and Khalil Fayad, who are also on the treatment table.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lucas Perri; Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Abner; Veretout, Matic, Tolisso; Fofana, Lacazette, Cherki
Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Lecomte; Sacko, Omeragic, Maksimovic, Sylla; Ferri, Nzingoula, Savanier; Al-Tamari, Adams, Nordin
We say: Lyon 3-0 Montpellier HSC
Nothing is certain in football, but Lyon have been in superb form and Montpellier hit rock bottom in their last outing, leaving the hosts as huge favourites for this one.
Montpellier have lost five of their last six clashes with Lyon, and have lost every game away from home so far this season, so there is little down for Gasset's side here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
