Preview: Ajaccio vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors have continued to struggle despite bringing in Laurent Blanc as manager just before the World Cup.

Match preview

It has been an underwhelming start for Blanc at Lyon since he replaced Dutchman Peter Bosz in October.

OL have seen no real upturn in form since the former World Cup winner came in, as they are still down in ninth, below sides such as Clermont and Lorient.

Nine games in charge for Blanc have yielded just 11 points, as defeats at home to Strasbourg and Clermont were notable disappointments.

A 3-0 win at fifth-tier Chambery in the Coupe de France last week will hope to bring some much-needed confidence back to the side.

They are still unbeaten on the road since returning from the mid-season hiatus, which bodes well for this fixture, as does the fact that Lyon have not lost in their 17 previous matches against newly-promoted sides, winning 11.

It will take some doing to repair the damage of the first half of the season though, as they are a huge 17 points off the Champions League places.

Lyon lost to relegation candidates Strasbourg in their last league outing, and next opponents Ajaccio are in the same boat.

They are third from bottom, and no team in Ligue 1 have scored fewer goals than their 16 after 19 matches.

An upturn in form on home soil has aided their survival hopes though, as they have now taken six points from their last three games at the Stade Francois Coty, after winning just one point from their opening six.

It will take a huge effort for Olivier Pantaloni's side to recover mentally after a 7-1 thrashing at the hands of Monaco in their last encounter though.

Ajaccio Ligue 1 form:

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D

W

L

L

L

Ajaccio form (all competitions):

D

W

L

L

L

L

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

L

D

W

L

D

L

Lyon form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

L

W

Team News

Ajaccio boss Pantaloni has a lengthy injury list to contend with ahead of this fixture.

Romain Hamouma, Yoann Touzghar, Kevin Spadanuda are among the attacking options who are out for the Bears.

Youssouf Kone, Mickael Barreto and Mathieu Coutadeur complete an eye-watering injury list for the hosts to deal with.

Karl Toko Ekambi has left Lyon to join Rennes on loan in the last week to search for more regular playing time.

Houssem Aouar and Henrique both returned from injury to make brief cameos off the bench in their cup win last week.

Dejan Lovren has become an instant regular in his second spell with the club after joining from Zenit St. Petersburg at the start of the month.

Ajaccio possible starting lineup:

Leroy; Youssouf, Gonzalez, Mayembo, Diallo; Bayala, Mangani, Chabrolle, Nouri; Belaili, El Idrissy

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Gusto, Diomande, Lovren, Lukeba, Tagliafico; Thiago Mendes, Tolisso, Cherki; Lacazette, Dembele

We say: Ajaccio 1-2 Lyon

Lyon will be desperate for three points to try to kick-start a stagnating season, but Ajaccio will be just as determined to move away from trouble.

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