What a difference 12 months can make - both in the good sense and in the not-so-good. Last season, after 21 rounds, Olympique Lyonnais were on top of Ligue 1. Olympique de Marseille were in second. Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain were in third. And this season's surprise packages Angers? Still featuring in Ligue 2.
However, fast-forward a year and now Lyon and Marseille are mired in the middle of the table, whilst Angers sit in fourth. More important, PSG, who have been virtually unstoppable this season, enjoy a massive lead over the pack, meaning that the remaining sides will be all battling for the rest of the Champions League and Europa League spots. Both Lyon and Marseille, who finished in second and fourth respectively last campaign have struggled to replicate that form and with the Ligue 1 title already having being decided, will be hoping to somehow make it into the remaining European football spots this May.
Olympique Lyonnais
Between 2002 and 2008, Lyon won an impressive seven consecutive league titles, a record which still stands today. However, this season has not been so kind to Les Gones, who were dumped out early from the Champions League and saw manager Hubert Fournier sacked just 19 months after taking over in May 2014. As of now, Lyon have lost all but one of their past five fixtures and have won just one out of their eight most recent league games - which was against bottom placed Troyes.
Now under the guidance of Bruno Genesio, the hosts currently sit in ninth. With 29 points they are ahead of Bordeaux on goal difference, but behind Marseille due to the same calculation and given that Nantes and Lorient are not too far behind, Lyon risk slipping out of the top half of the table if they do not correct their downward slide quickly. Nonetheless, despite their league struggles, they earned themselves a spot in the Coupe de France round of 16 by dispatching lower-tier side Chambly 2-0 courtesy of goals from Maxwell Cornet and Mathieu Valbuena.
The hosts have had to contend with their share of injuries at varied points this season, but they should be able to have Anthony Lopes between the posts after shaking off a slight knock during the midweek Coupe de France tie, and defender Samuel Umtiti is making his return to full fitness and will likely be able to feature.
Olympique de Marseille
Meanwhile, Marseille will be coming into this game having extended their unbeaten streak to eight league games following a 3-1 win over Caen last weekend. However, as a result of drawing five of those - including four in a row before the victory against Caen - they still sit in the mid-table range and have never been higher than eighth in the rankings.
Like Lyon, Marseille also enjoyed success in their midweek Coupe de France tie, defeating Montpellier thanks to a goal from Brice Dja Djedj and an own goal from their opponents. This also so happens to be the team's first home win since beating Dutch side Gronigen in the Europa League group stages on November 26th. Current manager Michel, who has received quite a few of boos and jeers from Marseille's fans at home games, will be concerned about the fitness of striker Michy Batshuayi who suffered a knock during the clash with Montpellier and was taken off as a precaution.
He has plenty of reason to worry, as the Belgian international of Congolese heritage has scored 12 goals in the league and 15 in all competitions so far this season. Only PSG's Zlatan Ibrahimovic has netted more times than the 22-year-old and with six assists on top of his dozen strikes, he has been directly involved in over 50 per cent of his team's 31 goals this season. Despite their struggles, goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has been doing his utmost best to keep his team's morale up with solid showings and has been linked with a move to the Premier League by some quarters of the British press.
With both teams on 29 points, Lyon and Marseille will be hoping that their wins in the Coupe de France midweek will provide the positive momentum they need in what will be a tough battle for these two squads.
Here are some interesting stats and facts ahead of the clash between two of France's biggest sides:
Which channel is broadcasting Lyon vs Marseille on TV or Online?
As fans may remember, the last time the two sides met, it was an ill-tempered 1-1 draw marred by ruckus caused by some sections of the Marseille support. Expect this one to be just as feisty both on and off the pitch as both sides will be eager to close the gap on the likes of Angers and Reims in the upper part of the table.
So, if you happen to be able to head to the to see Lyon vs Marseille live at the newly minted Parc Olympique Lyonnais, you will likely be in for an interesting clash from start to finish. However, if you are too far away, no worries. LiveSoccerTV.com has you covered with plenty of options to catch the game via your TV, computer, tablet, or phone.
Here are some viewing choices for fans living elsewhere in France and in the following countries:
- In the USA at 15.00 EST on: beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A.
- In France at 21.00 CET on: Ligue 1 Orange App
- In the UK at 20.00 GMT on: BT Sport Live Streaming, BT Sport 1
Live elsewhere? Check out our special Lyon vs Marseille broadcast page for viewing times and options for wherever you call home.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
Olympique Lyonnais 1 - 1 Olympique Marseille
January 24, 2016 3:00pmParc Olympique Lyonnais (Décines-Charpieu)This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
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