Benoit Cheyrou believes Lyon will view Sunday's game at the Stade Gerland as the perfect opportunity to display their title credentials.

Les Gones lost the Ligue 1 crown they held for seven years last season to Bordeaux, but have responded well.

They are currently second in the table, two points behind Bordeaux, and advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League last night after grabbing a late draw against Liverpool.

And Cheyrou is wary of Claude Puel's men.

"Last year they were upset not to win the title. This season they want to prove they are still there, they are not dead," he told www.om.net.

"Their new signings have integrated well and they are a strong team. They have more strength in depth than in previous years, they are no longer dependent on one or two individuals."

Seventh-placed Marseille also enjoyed a good week in Europe, a 6-1 thrashing of FC Zurich keeping them in the mix to advance from Group C.

Despite the comprehensive win, Cheyrou insists Marseille have already turned their attention to domestic matters.

He said: "The Champions League and Zurich are behind us.

"All teams, even Lyon, are more motivated to play Marseille than against any other team."

The crunch clash comes at the end of a weekend which sees Bordeaux go to Lille.

Les Girondins opened a fine week for French football with an impressive 2-0 win at Bayern Munich on Tuesday, a result which confirmed their progression to the knockout stages.

Sunday's other game is a clash between mid-table sides Toulouse and Rennes.

Monaco can move to within a point of the summit on Saturday with victory over Grenoble.

The principality club went down 1-0 to title rivals Bordeaux last weekend but coach Guy Lacombe was still pleased with his side's efforts.

"This team is young and should improve further," he said.

They should return to winning ways against a Grenoble side who have played 11, lost 11 in Ligue 1.

Paris St Germain host Nice at the Parc des Princes with coach Antoine Kombouare hoping his men can build on last weekend's 4-1 win at Sochaux.

"Hopefully this isn't a flash in the pan. We have to continue in the same vein," said Kombouare.

Fourth-placed Montpellier go to Valenciennes while Auxerre, in fifth, visit struggling Le Mans.

Elsewhere, Nancy host St Etienne, Boulogne are away to Lorient and Sochaux will hope to bounce back against Lens.