Paris-Lyon: Thrills guaranteed

Standings update

After a disappointing start to the league season, Les Gones have returned towards the top of the table in recent weeks. Buoyed by their derby win over Saint-Étienne (1-0), Lyon were held 1-1 by Reims before stringing together three consecutive victories over Karabagh (1-4), Nice (4-1) and Angers (0-3), the latter enabling the Rhone club to climb to 5th place in the league with 25 points. That run was extended on Thursday with a convincing 3-2 Europa League win over Frankfurt, who lie 2nd in the Bundesliga.

For their part, Paris Saint-Germain are still unbeaten in Ligue 1 and top the table on 34 points. But after five consecutive wins in France, the capital club were held by Nantes (1-1) and Auxerre (0-0) recently, thanks in no small part to Donovan Léon, who was on top form against the Rouge et Bleu. Victorious at the start of the week against Salzburg in the league phase of the Champions League (0-3), the Parisians will be hoping to confirm their comeback to winning ways with a repeat performance this Sunday against Lyon.

Dynamics in numbers

Opposing forces

Pierre Sage and his team play mainly two systems: 4-3-3, the preferred system of the Lyon staff, but also 4-2-3-1 for certain opponents. There will be little surprise in goal, where the imposing Lucas Perri (1m97) is expected to start, while Lyon legend Anthony Lopes (489 appearances for Lyon) is no longer part of the club's plans. Ahead of the former Botafogo keeper, Senegal international Moussa Niakhaté is likely to be preferred to 2018 FIFA World Cup runner-up Duje Caleta-Car at left centre-back. Alongside him, Clinton Mata is the favourite to partner him, while Warmed Omari, on loan from Rennes, is rarely used.

And if the Angolan international were to start at centre-back, then it could be to the advantage of Swiss ace Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who would then start at right-back. On the other side, the competition is fierce between new Brazilian international Abner and reigning world champion Nicolás Tagliafico. So far, the latter's grit and consistency have made him the preferred option since the start of the season, but the Parisians could see the OL coach give the Argentinian international a rest at the Parc des Princes.

In midfield, the very experienced Nemanja Matic (36) is the regulator of Lyon's game in the sentinel position, but here too the succession of matches could prompt the Rhone staff to bring back Maxence Caqueret, relegated to the bench this season, or Tanner Tessmann, the American international who arrived from Venice last summer. These are back-up options should Lyon confirm their desire to play with 3 midfielders, with two French internationals who could then start a notch higher up the pitch: Jordan Veretout and Corentin Tolisso. The latter (2 goals and 4 assists in all competitions this season) is back to a very good level and has once again become indispensable to his team in midfield.

Finally, in attack, Les Gones have no shortage of options. The formidable Rayan Cherki (5 goals, 6 assists), who is very comfortable in a playmaker role, could be used on the right wing, depending on the option chosen. Ernest Nuamah and even Saïd Benrahma (2 goals, 4 assists) could also shine in this position. The Algerian international is also competition for the mercurial Malick Fofana (7 goals, 3 assists), who has excelled on the left wing for several months. In the centre-forward position, home-grown striker Alexandre Lacazette (8 goals, 2 assists) has finally got his season up and running and remains OL's attacking leader, despite the rise of another Lyon native: Georges Mikautadze (5 goals, 1 assist), who could well start this Sunday in place of his captain.