Form
Christian Gourcuff’s men, who beat Nice last week (2-1), had not won away from home since the 15th of Augustand a victory at the Parc des Princes against Paris Saint-Germain (3-1). These three points allowed Lorient to stay in the top half of the table, in eighth place with 42 points. We can say quite safely that Lorient’s main objective of the season , to stay in the division, is pretty much achieved un less something catastrophic happens. Only four points behind their opponents on Sunday, OM, Lorient could even finish the season with a european spot.
Lorient have had a good season at home. Unbeaten at the stade du Moustoir since the eighth game of the season (0-1 against Rennes), Alain Cantareil the former OM player and his teammates have won 8 drawn 5 and lost 2 games this season (7th best team in the league at home). They could also be given the nickname « giant killers » as Monaco, Lyon, PSG and Bordeaux have left Brittany with nothing in their pockets this season.

Tactics
Christian Gourcuff rarely changes his starting eleven. The only times he does is through injury suspension or poor form. He sticks by his preferred 4-4-2 formation with two defensive midfielders and two offensive players out on the wings. On Sunday night (20h55), the ever present Fabien Audard should be in goal. Lthe central defenders should be Sylvain Marchal, the captain, and Mickael Ciani. Jérémy Morel will be at left back and Christophe Jallet on the right. The two defensive midfielders will probably be Fabrice Abriel and Oscar Ewolo with Yohan Hautcoeur and Yann Jouffre on the wings. Marama Vahirua’s injury (ruptured Achille’s tendon) will most certainly push Christian Gourcuff into playing Ulrich Le Pen and Rafik Saifi together up front.

The players to watch
Fabrice Abriel : He is the motor of the Lorient team. The only outfield player in the squad to have played every minute of every match this season, Lorient’s game passes through him without fail.

Rafik Saifi : He is the artist of the team. More than capable of magnificent skillful moves, the Algerian is Lorient’s ace up front. He has scored 10 goals since the start of the season, the former Troyes player is held in admiration by his teammates. All agree that the 33year old should have had a much more spectacular career in the spotlights.