Sevilla’s controversial defeat to Juventus gave Lyon hope that they could still qualify for the knockout stages, but they will only do so if they win by a margin of two goals or greater.

The La Liga side are aware they cannot afford to make protecting their lead the primary objective at Parc OL, and will instead try to play their usual game.

Lyon officials have been working hard in an attempt to help the team close the gap behind new boss in France that is PSG, and things appear to have been moving in the right direction.

Drawing talent from their youth academy and making some shrewd signings, les Gones have coped well with a difficult financial situation, and their performances this season have been quite respectable.

Lyon recovered well from the dismal start and went on to win four of last five league fixtures, while they will probably be awarded a win against Metz as well as the match was abandoned after the home fans threw a flare that exploded and injured Lyon keeper Anthony Lopes.

However, it is the Champions League campaign that takes the priority at the moment, and that was the reason why coach Bruno Genesio decided to rest some players in the weekend clash.

Starting goalkeeper Anthony Lopes is unlikely to play as he suffered a traumatic hearing loss in both ears, with Mathieu Gorgelin set to deputise.

Important defender Emanuel Mammana has resumed training, but Christoph Jallet remains in the treatment room and is unlikely to play.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Gorgelin – Rafael, Mammana, Diakhaby, Rybus – Ferri, Gonalons, Tolisso – Fekir, Lacazette, Valbuena.

Having won three straight Europa League trophies, Sevilla now crave for some Champions League success and they are in a good position to qualify for the next stage.

After failing to secure their progress to the knockout phase at the first attempt, los Rojiblancos now need to avoid heavy defeat at Parc OL, while they also plan to make amends for weekend’s loss to Granada.

Sevilla missed a perfect opportunity to climb to second in the La Liga standings, as they were unexpectedly beaten by then rock-bottom side, so Jorge Sampaoli will certainly demand a response from his players.

Los Rojiblancos have done fairly well on the road of late, winning four of last six away fixtures, while also sharing spoils with Juventus in Turin back in September.

The Spanish side will now have to make do without the suspended Franco Vazquez, while Vicente Iborra, Nico Pareja and Gabriel Mercado are also banned.

The good news is that full-back Sergio Escudero returns, while Samir Nasri is also fit to play. Mariano and Daniel Carrico both face fitness tests.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Rico – Mariano, Rami, Kolodziejczak, Escudero – Kranevitter, N’Zonzi – Sarabia, Nasri, Vitolo – Ben Yedder.