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Ligue 1 2016-2017: Lyon vs Caen, Preview, Prediction & Predicted Lineup

| Aug 17, 2016 04:30 AM EDT

Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Contending squad Olympique Lyonnais (1-0-0, 3 points) will try to continue their strong start in the 2016-2017 Ligue 1 season as they square off with tough team Stade Malherbe Caen (1-0-0, 3 points) at the Stade des Lumières on Friday, August 19.

Lyon won their season-opener last Sunday in brilliant fashion, crushing newly-promoted side AS Nancy, 3-0, at the latter's Stade Marcel Picot, SkySports reported.

Arsenal target Alexandre Lacazette drilled a hat trick at the 33rd, 44th, and 90th+2 minutes of the match to score all the goals for head coach Bruno Génésio's squad during the match.

It was another great opening game for last season's second-leading scorer, who after the match disclosed that he is "very happy" in Lyon and that he is aiming to score 100 goals for Les Gones this term if he can.

Rumors abound that English Premier League club Arsenal is targeting him before the summer transfer window closes on Sep. 1, but Lyon and the Gunners cannot seem to compromise on the proper transfer fee for the 25-year-old striker so the negotiations are stalled.

Meanwhile, Caen also won their season opening game last Saturday versus FC Lorient, 3-2, at their home field of Stade Michel d'Ornano, as per ESPN.

It was a come-from-behind win for head coach Patrice Garande's boys as they took advantage of a 10-man Les Merlus squad early in the match.

Lorient scored the game's first two goals, courtesy of a brace from Cameroonian forward Benjamin Moukandjo at the fifth and 19th minute, but Senegalese defender Zargo Touré was booked with a direct red card after hauling down Caen striker Ivan Santini at the 26th.

The send-off shifted the momentum of the contest to Caen as they equalized before the halftime break with goals from forward Ronny Rodelin and Santini at the 32nd and 43rd minutes.

Santini capped his great game with a second goal at the 87th off an assist from substitute midfielder Vincent Bessat to give the win and three points to his side.

Of the two unbeaten teams, Lyon is the odds on favorite to remain undefeated in the second week of competitions.

The predicted result is another 3-0 rout for Lyon.

Lyon starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Lopes; Rafael, Yanga-Mbiwa, N'Koulou, Morel; Darder, Gonalons, Tolisso; Fekir, Lacazette, Cornet

Caen starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Vercoutre; Dabo, Yahia, Youssef, Imorou; Delaplace, Da Silva, Feret; Rodelin, Santini, Bazile 

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