Bordeaux vs Lyon
French Ligue 1
Date: Friday, 11 September 2020
Kick off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Matmut Atlantique (Bordeaux).
Match preview
Having had nine days to recover from their opening day goalless stalemate with Nantes, Bordeaux line up for their first three points of the season with a 2-0 victory over Angers in the last weekend of August.
Two quickfire goals from Josh Maja and Basic Toma put to the sword early Angers and Bordeaux manager Jean-Louis Gasset have not watched his side ship goals in the new season.
While the initial ratings of the season hardly be expected to predict the end of the table, Bordeaux can be driven by the current standing of their second order as they bid to improve to 12th placed finish last season.
However, Bordeaux last four games at home all have ended in a draw, and this Gasset side coming up against Lyon clothes with a point to prove following their underwhelming 2019-20 domestic campaign.
Depending on results elsewhere, Bordeaux could occupy the top spot with a closing play this weekend, with the current table-toppers Good set to take on Montpellier on Saturday.
As far as that is concerned Lyon, Les Gones are quick to put their Champions League exit behind them as they eased to a 4-1 win over Dijon in their first game of the season.
Memphis Depay - currently being linked with a move to Barcelona - record a hat-trick for Lyon at Groupama stadium as Rudi Garcia's side put down a marker ahead of the rest of the campaign.
Despite reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, Les Gones will play a part in European football during the 2020-21 campaign, but it will give Garcia a lot of time to focus on the exploitation of Lyon.
Should Les Gones continued in the same vein as they did in thrashing them Dijon, Garcia will no doubt be confident securing a top-four finish if Lyon can still hold some of their assets are the most valuable, namely Depay, houssem Aouar and Moussa Dembele ,
Lyon took the spoils in a victory in this fixture last season 2-1, and Bordeaux has won against Les Gones just once in their last seven meetings.
News Team
Youngster Mehdi Zerkane remains suspended after being sent off in the opening match of the season against Nantes.
Pablo back in training but may not be ready to feature yet.
As Bordeaux have yet to recognize this season, it would be surprising if Jean-Louis Gasset make changes here for the eleven that started against Angers.
With Marçal have been sold to Wolves, Lyon can choose to 4-3-1-2 here, rather than the 3-5-2 that they have mobilized against Dijon to great effect.
Houssem Aouar returned to full training with Lyon on Wednesday after recovering from COVID-19 and will begin here.
Jeff Reine-Adelaide sensationally announced his desire to leave Lyon during the international break and may not show until his future is resolved. He brings a knock too.
Lyon also deal with Barcelona in Memphis Depay interest. Personal terms have been agreed but Lyon will hope remains of the captain they are committed to the agreed fee.
Given the uncertainty of so many players Lyon at the moment, it would be great to see the teen sensation Cherki Rayan early.
Bordeaux v Lyon Predictions
Bordeaux are not impressive at home in their first game but showed their maturity in the next. We think Lyon could struggle at times on the road this season, but is very strong at home. They still need to come together as a team, and this could be a hard game for them even if they had a pound for pound better team.
There are a couple of moments with the club field with respect to the future of this Depay. We think Bordeaux can give them a tough game and expect the home team to get a win.
Betting Tips
Bordeaux beat Lyon at 4.00 (3/1)
Anytime goalscorer: Jimmy Briand (Bordeaux) at 4.00 (3/1)
4 + cards are shown at 1.80 (4/5).
