Two weeks after Lyon took all three points at Goodison Park, the French side welcome Everton to the Stade des Lumieres.
The Blues’ Europa League campaign is heading for a swift end unless a small miracle happens between now and the trip to Apollon Limassol in December.
Since the teams came together on matchday three, the form books couldn’t be so different.
Everton have lost all three of their fixtures whereas OL destroyed a hapless Troyes 5-0 before turning Metz over 2-0 at the weekend.
Lyon now sit in third place in Ligue 1, seven points behind league leaders and big spenders, Paris Saint Germain.
The previous fixture will be remembered for the wrong reasons.
A 20-plus man coming together after a frustrated Ashley Williams shoved Anthony Lopes, a man in the crowd holding a child joining in the fracas, Williams then having the best five minutes of his season… finding the net and defending like he did in his Swansea days.
The Wales captain soon returned to his usual suspect self, caught out as Bertrand Traore fired home the winner.
Ones to watch for the hosts –
Nabil Fekir opened the scoring at Goodison Park as the Lyon captain proved just how dangerous he is.
He picked up the two goals which downed Metz and the way Everton have been defending recently the French attacker will fancy his chances of bagging again.
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Former Manchester United flop Memphis Depay showed he is a massive threat on his day.
The Dutchman went on to score a hat-trick three days after the L4 clash against Troyes, a massive confidence booster, and is another one who will look to exploit the Toffees’ flimsy backline.
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Team news –
After missing the away game through injury, eight goals in ten games striker Mariano is fit and ready to play. A massive lift for Les Gones.
Everyone who played in the most recent loss at Leicester, except the ineligible Oumar Niasse, are available for the trip to France.
This is the third game in what respected journalist Paul Joyce said was ‘a four-game audition for David Unsworth to prove himself to be good enough to take charge full time’, but after a passionate display at Chelsea, the 2-0 loss at the KP was less than inspiring.
So, Rhino needs a massive performance from his side on Thursday evening, for his managerial ambitions and most importantly, if dreams of staying in the competition are to be kept alive… but it is looking rather bleak.
Up the Toffees.