Olympique Lyonnais – RC Lens Sunday at 20:45 CET (1945 GMT)

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Lyon  ended the last round of matches in a lowly ninth position, eight points adrift of Stade Rennais FC in fifth and six behind LOSC Lille in sixth place, which could yet be enough to qualify for Europe at the end of the campaign. Laurent Blanc’s side therefore remain some way off the pace but they are by no means completely out of contention, with results in recent weeks providing cause for optimism.

OL welcome Les Sang et Or to the Groupama Stadium fresh from advancing to the quarter-finals of the Coupe de France with a penalty shoot-out victory over Lille in midweek, as they emerged victorious having earlier blown a 2-0 first-half lead given to them by goals from Rayan Cherki and Alexandre Lacazette. Lyon will now play second-tier Grenoble Foot 38 at home in the last eight and it may be that the Cup represents their most straightforward route to Europe next season while also offering a chance to win a first trophy since they last lifted the Coupe de France in 2012.

Blanc’s side are now unbeaten in five games in all competitions and have been beaten just once in eight. That includes taking seven points from the last nine available in the league after Lyon won 3-1 away at ESTAC Troyes last weekend, a game in which both Cherki and Lacazette also scored.

Highlights: Lyon get better of Troyes in Round 22

Lacazette form

The form of Lacazette  has been the biggest positive for Lyon this season, with the striker already scoring 17 goals in all competitions following his return to his boyhood club from Arsenal. Against Lille he made his 300th appearance for OL. With 146 goals he is now just three away from the tally of Bernard Laporte, who sits second in the club’s list of all-time top scorers.

“I am just three goals away from equalling Bernard but I don’t feel any pressure. It will come when the time is right,” said the 31-year-old.

Lens battle to hold onto podium place

Lyon are seeking revenge following a 1-0 defeat away in Lens  back in October and their opponents head to the banks of the Rhône having managed just one win in five league outings since beating Paris Saint-Germain on New Year’s Day. Last weekend they needed a late equaliser by Jonathan Gradit to draw 1-1 at Stade Brestois 29.

However, the northern club also won in the Coupe de France in midweek, beating FC Lorient 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Brittany in which January signing Angelo Fulgini had given them the lead on his first start since signing from German club FSV Mainz. Lens will go to holders FC Nantes in the quarter-finals.

“We have never won the Coupe de France but that in itself does not give us any more motivation. The Coupe de France alone is a source of motivation. It is a magnificent trophy and a competition that provides lots of emotions,” said Lens manager Franck Haise.

Lens held at Brest in Round 22

His side opted to stay in Brittany after that game to prepare for their trip to Lyon as they look to give their bid to qualify for the Champions League a shot in the arm. Lens ended last weekend in third place, behind Olympique de Marseille in second on goal difference and two points above AS Monaco in fourth. Outstanding at home this season, their away form has not been as strong – they have drawn their last four league matches on the road.

Austrian centre-back Kevin Danso can return for Lens after serving a ban in the Cup. Wuilker Faríñez, Jimmy Cabot, Alexis Claude-Maurice and Wesley Saïd are all on the sidelines. Saël Kumbedi and Nicolás Tagliafico can return from bans for Lyon. Jeffinho is yet to make his debut after arriving from Botafogo while Malo Gusto came off early on against Lille in midweek.

Probable teams

Lyon: Lopes; Kumbedi, Lukeba, Lovren, Tagliafico; Lepenant, Tolisso, Caqueret; Cherki; Lacazette, Barcola

Lens: Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Abdul Samed, Fofana, Machado; Da Costa; Sotoca, Openda

Coupe de France: Lens go to Nantes in last eight