Last week, Lyon comfortably won 2-0 at Grenoble in the first of their two successive Rhone-Alpes derbies; the small journey to Saint Etienne on Sunday night, though, is the major derby of the region.

Whilst Lyon were winning, St Etienne were at the receiving end of a laboured 0-1 defeat at Le Mans, their second consecutive 0-1 defeat away this season and both results could have been worse.

In between, Les Verts won 2-1 at home against a fairly poor Sochaux side, a result not unexpected given St Etienne's home form last year.

In 2007/08, when St Etienne finished fifth, their record at home was 12-6-1, which included a 1-1 draw when Lyon visited.

Bafetimbi Gomis was on fire last year, culminating in a call-up to the French national side, but the signs so far this season suggest Laurent Roussey's side may end up closer to their 2006/07 position, in 11th.

That season, their home form was not so great, with six defeats in eight games against the top eight sides, including a 1-3 defeat by Sunday's visitors.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

Lyon have started this season brightly; Benzema (3) and Makoun (2) have been the goalscorers for Claude Puel's team this year and the side has yet to concede a goal in the three league matches.

Their last outing, to Lorient, ended 0-0 but the Breton club have a reputation for tight defensive football and shoudln't be seen as a poor result for the champions.

Their away form in the last two years could be better; 10 wins from 19 last year and 11 from 19 the year before is not spectacular, but with the defence breeding confidence and Benzema off to a flying start, they should go into this game hoping to take all three points from a St Etienne side yet to start clicking.

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Bet: Lyon to win Odds: $2.35 Stake: 5pts Bookies: Pinnacle Sports

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers