Lyon have lost just once this season, but the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League semi-finalists have picked up only two victories, drawing four of their opening seven Ligue 1 Uber Eats matches.

They suffered a scare at Strasbourg last time out when they saw a 3-0 first-half lead almost fritter away. However, Rudi Garcia's men held on for a 3-2 win to pick up all three points for the first time since their opening game of the season in late August, and the OL boss has ambitions of continuing in the same vein.

WATCH: Lyon hang on for a win in Strasbourg

"We hope we've started a run. When you win, things are calmer. We have always been, because the way we were played showed us there was no reason we weren't winning games. We'll have to be very demanding on Sunday. We want to beat Monaco, a good team with attacking qualities. They're a team trying to find themselves too. They have a coach who has coached some big teams. It's an important game against a direct rival.

"They like having possession. We'll have to be clinical against an opponent of Monaco's calibre, but also be a little cute at times," said Garcia, whose side next travel to Lille and then host derby rivals AS Saint-Etienne in a testing run-in to the November international break.

"The run of fixtures stops at Monaco, there's no point in looking any further. We only have one game a week. That should allow us to be give our all physically, to give the best of ourselves. We have to win this match. Our fans will want to see us win."

OL have won their last seven home games, and Garcia has virtually a full squad to chose from with Belgium international centre-back Jason Denayer, who has a knee injury, the only doubt for the contest at the Groupama Stadium.

Bruno Guimaraes returns from suspension and is likely to replace Thiago Mendes in a three-man midfield that will contain Houssem Aouar and new signing Lucas Paqueta, who made his Lyon debut in Strasboug.

"It's always important to win. We had a lot of chances against Marseille and couldn't put them away. The win over Strasbourg gives us calmness and confidence, that's good. We know the importance of the league table. I feel that the team is fully aware of that," said the Brazilian, whose connection with the front three in Alsace, Memphis Depay, Karl Toko Ekambi and Tino Kadewere, looked promising.

"They're really quality players. I'm happy to play with them. Training sessions are important for us to get to know one another and be able to link up on the pitch." 

WATCH: Monaco held at home by Montpellier

Monaco, who — like their hosts — are notable absentees from France's European challenge this season, have also been in patchy form since the start of the campaign.

New coach Niko Kovac has seen his side claim three wins, but they have triumphed only once in their last four and have taken just a point from their two most recent league outings.

The team have been heavily reliant on captain Wissam ben Yedder, who has found the net four times in as many league games, including the disappointing 1-1 home draw with Montpellier Hérault SC last time out during which the visitors were reduced to ten men after just 19 minutes.

"He was very calm, but he had some hard words for us," explained midfielder Aurélien Tchouamèni of Kovac's post-match criticism. "It's normal that he got stuck into us a bit. We didn't get the result we wanted and we dropped another two points. Once again, we have to pick ourselves up. There are still a lot of games to play, we're only seven games into the season.

"So we have the time to make up the points and fulfil our objectives. We have to cut out those little individual errors. We're not going to just question everything because we drew. I think if we respect the coach's instructions, take a bit of a look at ourselves and we get back to work, we'll get back to winning ways."

Probable teams

Lyon: to follow

Monaco: to follow

>> LEGENDS: 3 Lyon-Monaco classics