Lyon will endeavour to rise back to the top of the Ligue 1 table when they welcome an in-form Bordeaux to the Groupama Stadium for Friday's encounter.
The hosts thrashed local rivals Saint-Etienne 5-0 last time out, while Bordeaux extended their winning run to three matches with a 2-1 triumph over Angers.
Match preview
The 122nd Derby du Rhone was a monumental mismatch on all levels, as a near full-strength Lyon simply brushed aside a Saint-Etienne team decimated by a major coronavirus outbreak.
Les Verts were able to welcome several first-teamers back for the showdown, but they were no match for Rudi Garcia's title-chasers, who stormed to a 5-0 win courtesy of goals from Marcelo (2), Tino Kadewere (2) and an own goal from Denis Bouanga.
Les Gones had only managed to take one point from their previous two matches with Rennes and Metz, and while Saint-Etienne's COVID-19 cluster undoubtedly gave Garcia's men a significant advantage, they did not rest on their laurels at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
However, with Paris Saint-Germain and Lille both on a three-game winning streak, third-placed Lyon find themselves two points behind their rivals in the hunt for Ligue 1 glory, but a win here would see them temporarily rise to the summit before PSG and Lille take on Lorient and Dijon respectively on Sunday.
Despite suffering a shock home defeat to Metz on January 17, Garcia's charges had taken maximum points from five of their previous six matches on home soil before that - notching up at least two goals each time - but a defensively-sound Bordeaux are sure to prove a stern test for the title-chasing Gones.
Still unbeaten in 2021, Bordeaux have started the New Year as they mean to go on with one draw and three consecutive wins from their last four matches.
Jean-Louis Gasset's men have become renowned for their inconsistency this term, but they have produced the goods against Lorient, Nice and most recently Angers, with a double from in-form striker Hwang Ui-jo propelling Bordeaux to victory over Les Scoistes last time out.
With four goals and one assist in his last five matches, the South Korea international has been instrumental in Bordeaux's sudden charge for a European berth, and they now lie four points adrift of the top five in seventh - level with Marseille who have a game in hand.
Les Girondins would do well to quell an onslaught from Lyon's attacking trident this weekend, but they have recorded shut-outs in their last three away matches, and only PSG's Keylor Navas can also boast a league-high 11 clean sheets alongside Gasset's number one Benoit Costil.
Gasset's side managed to hold Lyon to a goalless stalemate in the reverse fixture back in September, and the hosts have only managed to prevail once against Bordeaux in their last seven attempts at home - with the last three meetings at the Groupama Stadium ending with the points shared.
Lyon Ligue 1 form: WWWDLW
Bordeaux Ligue 1 form: WLDWWW
Team News
Lyon will welcome Lucas Paqueta back from suspension for this game, but competition for places in Garcia's midfield is rife now that Maxence Caqueret has forced his way back into the team.
Paqueta may have to make do with a spot on the bench unless Garcia opts to drop Bruno Guimaraes - which is unlikely - but Houssem Aouar missed out the derby win through injury and remains doubtful here.
Maxwell Cornet is also struggling to shake off a muscular problem, so Mattia De Sciglio should continue to deputise at left-back.
Bordeaux's upturn in form has corresponded with a near-empty medical room, as only Otavio and Mehdi Zerkane are currently sidelined through injury.
However, Gasset could look to bolster his engine room before the transfer window closes, as both Toma Basic and Yacine Adli are only one booking away from a suspension.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Dubois, Denayer, Marcelo, De Sciglio; Mendes, Caqueret, Guimaraes; Kadewere, Depay, Toko Ekambi
Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Costil; Sabaly, Koscielny, Baysse, Benito; Basic, Adli; Oudin, Ben Arfa, Kalu; Hwang
We say: Lyon 2-1 Bordeaux
Lyon have historically struggled in this fixture and cannot expect to hit Bordeaux for five like they did against a depleted Saint-Etienne team. Both sides are in good shape heading into this game and it should be an exciting watch for the neutrals, but top spot is there for the taking for Lyon, and we expect Garcia's men to claim a hard-earned three points on Friday.
