PARIS, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Surprise package Grenoble will take on seven-times French champions Olympique Lyon in a derby at Stade Gerland on Saturday.
The promoted side stand alone at the top of Ligue 1 as the
only team to have won their first two games of the season.
Grenoble's Bosnian coach, Mehmet Bazdarevic, said their
position at the summit was merely 'anecdotal' but some of his
players believe they can get at least a draw from the visit to
Lyon.
'Playing against the French champions -- a great team with
great players -- that is really exciting. We will try to get a
point. Why not?' midfielder Sofiane Feghouli told reporters.
Grenoble have the lowest budget in Ligue 1 and had not
played in the top flight since 1963 before last season's
promotion.
Lyon have not conceded a goal in the new campaign, despite
the long-term injury sustained by France right-back Francois
Clerc.
Olympique Marseille could be without Hatem Ben Arfa when
they visit Le Havre on Saturday. The playmaker suffered a groin
strain during last week's 4-0 win over Auxerre and pulled out of
France's friendly in Sweden on Wednesday.
Marseille's medical staff said they would take no chance
with Ben Arfa, whose probable absence will not benefit Djibril
Cisse.
The former Liverpool striker, without a goal so far this
season, returned to the Premier League when he joined Sunderland
on loan on Wednesday.
Marseille, who scored four in each of their first two games,
can count on in-form Algeria winger Karim Ziani, back in coach
Eric Gerets's favour after a disappointing first season.
Girondins Bordeaux will look to rediscover last term's spark
when they host Nantes on Sunday after their 1-0 defeat at Paris
St Germain.
The 2007/08 runners-up struggled to overcome Caen 2-1 at
home in their first match. 'We must not get used to losing,'
warned coach Laurent Blanc.
New signing Mateja Kezman could make his debut for PSG when
the capital club travel to bottom-placed Sochaux.
'I am in good shape and I am ready to start right away for
PSG,' the Serbia striker said after arriving at the Parc des
Princes on Tuesday.
