Having won their first two group games, Lyon can make a giant step towards the next round with three points against Athletic, a team that reached Europa League final last term.

The French giants are doing surprisingly well this season considering they stayed without several very important players in the summer.

Hugo Lloris, Aly Cissokho, Ederson and Kim Kallstrom all left, while Milan Bisevac, Fabian Monzon and Arnold Mvuemba were the only notable signings.

That didn’t stop Lyon from taking 18 points from first 8 Ligue 1 games, while les Gones also enjoyed a bright start to their European campaign.

Remi Garde’s side may have recorded narrow wins over Sparta Prague and Ironi Kiryat Shmona, but the most important thing they are now in the driving seat with six points from those matches.

Considering that their next opponents are largely struggling for form, you should know home win pays 1.95 (19/20) at Stan James.

Clement Grenier, Michel Bastos and Milan Bisevac are likely to miss out, but Yoann Goucuff could return. Maxime Gonalons is doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-2-1): Vercoutre – Reveillere, Lovren, Kone, Dabo – Fofana, Gonalons, Gourcuff – Lacazette, Briand – Lopez.

Something is clearly happening to the team that reached Europa League and Copa del Rey finals, but nobody knows what is the problem.

Departure of Javi Martinez was certainly a big blow to the side, but it cannot be seen as an excuse for the utterly disappointing start to the new season.

Athletic have now won just 2 of their last 10 games in all competitions, and could take just one point from two Europa League games, and it is perfectly clear they need to win at Gerland in order to keep their qualifying hopes alive.

That could prove to be a very difficult task, but with the hosts set to rest some of the regular starters, odds of 4.33 (10/3) offered at bet365 on away win do look tempting.

Los Leones can take some heart from the promising showing at Mestalla, even if they ended up losing the game, meaning we should see an exciting encounter at Gerland.

Inigo Perez, Borja Ekiza and Iker Muniain are all injury doubts, but Carlos Gurpegui returns from domestic suspension.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Iraizoz – Iraola, Gurpegui, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe – Herrera, Iturraspe, De Marcos – Susaeta, Aduriz, Muniain.