Lyon ready to pounce on faltering Lille

source:AFP

After holding Real Madrid 1-1 in Champions League action mid-week to keep their hopes of a quarter-final spot alive, the former multiple French champions head for northern France hoping to capitalise on recent signs of weakness from the leaders.

Lyon are sitting fourth, four points behind Lille, ahead of a match that could prove crucial to both teams' title challenges.

After months of domination, Lille have been showing signs of weakness, suffering two defeats in a row in the past week.

A 1-0 loss at Montpellier last weekend ended Lille's 13-game unbeaten run in all competitions and was followed by a 3-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday, which saw the Dutch advance 5-3 on aggregate.

Lyon defender Anthony Reveillere believes his side have the form to succeed although he warned they face as big a challenge from Lille as the star-studded Real Madrid.

"Sunday will be like a Champions League match because we're playing the league leaders at home," said Reveillere, whose side have not won in Lille in three years.

"We have five days to recover following the Champions League match. Following on with the Lille game is positive because we're in good shape competitively.

"We know that it's a big match for us, we have the necessary psychological training."

Reveillere added: "It's a key game for Lille because if they win, they know that they have eliminated a title rival.

"Lille must also be saying this about Marseille (who they meet on March 6). These are make-or-break games."

Champions Marseille, sitting third, a further point back, have been boosted after they held Manchester United 0-0 in the home leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.

OM travel to struggling Nancy on Sunday, when fifth-placed Paris Saint-Germain welcome mid-table Toulouse to the capital.

Fixtures

Sunday (1600GMT unless otherwise stated):

Nancy v Marseille, Paris Saint-Germain v Toulouse, Lille v Lyon (2000GMT)