On Saturday evening, two sides with very different ambitions will meet at the Stade Nungesser. Valenciennes simply hope to beat the drop, while Olympique Lyonnais are clinging onto their hopes of capturing an eighth Ligue 1 crown, and at the very least desire a top three finish that will secure them Champions League football yet again.
VA are a side who have been left battered and bruised by injuries all season, and though their problems in the treatment room are starting to clear up, there are major worries on the field for the northern outfit, who are flirting alarmingly near the drop zone after a poor run of form.
Over the course of their last six matches, Valenciennes have picked up only one victory and, more worryingly, have suffered five defeats. Eliminated from the Coupe de France by Angers, they were downed 2-1 by Montpellier a fortnight ago before enjoying a one week respite.
The northerners offered Lyon a stiff challenge earlier this season, when they ground out a 1-1 draw at the Stade Gerland after falling behind to a goal from Jeremy Pied, and they generally go well against OL at home. In 27 previous league encounters in Valenciennes, nine have been won by the hosts, eight by the away side and 10 shared.
Still Finding A Rhythm
Claude Puel was a manager under pressure after the first half of the campaign, but Lyon have remarkably enjoyed an unbeaten league run that stretches back to late September, when they lost the local derby with Saint-Etienne. OL have rarely been their dominant selves, but the early signs in 2011 have been a little better.
After dispatching Caen 1-0 in the Coupe de France, les Gones gave a performance of real pomp and confidence against Lorient in their first league encounter of the year. Visiting goalkeeper Fabien Audard enjoyed a fine evening but was still beaten by the home side on a trio of occasions, the pick of which was Bafetimbi Gomis’ terrific opener.
Last weekend it was back to the disappointing OL of the latter part of 2010. Though they controlled long spells of their Coupe de France encounter against Nice, Puel’s men were left frustrated in the final third and ultimately went down 1-0 against the Stade du Ray outfit, eliminated in extra-time after Dejan Lovren had been sent-off.
“In the first half we were not able to change the rhythm to slice our way through,” Puel lamented last weekend, according to Ligue 1’s official website. “In the second half we missed chances and Lionel Letizi pulled off several fine saves. After that the game was decided by the role of the dice and a sending off. It hurts because the squad really wanted to win. We are very disappointed.”
With the plans for OL’s new Stade des Lumieres tabled this week, Lyon will be in the mood to celebrate, and victory over Valenciennes at the weekend would certainly give them just cause to be content.
TEAM NEWS
Valenciennes
Valenciennes still have a host of injury problems to concern them. Renaud Cohade, Guillaume Loriot, Foued Kadir and Jonathan Lacourt are all missing, while Rafael and Karba Bangoura are being slowly reintroduced after long spells out. Mamadou Samassa and Jose Saez are both slight doubts due to injury, while Gael Danic and David Ducourtioux will have to overcome illness to play.
Vincent Aboubakar is suspended along with Rudy Mater.
Lyon
Ederson is the only OL player missing from this fixture due to injury. The Brazilian was due to miss the duration of the campaign because of a ruptured hamstring, but his recovery has been swifter than expected and the 25-year-old is expected back imminently.
Dejan Lovren is suspended after being sent off in the Coupe de France loss in Nice last weekend.
Prediction
Though Valenciennes are traditionally a difficult unit to beat at home, Lyon’s form in January has largely been positive, and for that reason they must be placed as favourites to win this match. Any slip from les Gones would also badly damage their championship hopes.
Valenciennes FC 1-2 O. Lyon 
