Lyon warms up for Champions League against Caen

Soccer Betting Lines

02/10/2012 - Lyon, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Lyon slipped 10 points behind Ligue 1 leader PSG last weekend, so a visit by Caen on Saturday - ahead of Tuesday's last 16 Champions League match against APOEL - has turned into a must-win match.

Since winning the last of seven straight Ligue 1 titles in 2008, Lyon has not finished atop the standings, and faces a tough ascent this season behind free spending PSG.

PSG has spent well over $100 million in the summer and this January, and with Carlo Ancelotti undefeated in five matches in all competitions as coach, Lyon cannot afford to drop any more points.

Although last week's result was a 2-2 draw against Marseille, it left both of PSG's rivals farther from the top.

"It's a good draw, but one that does leave us harboring a few regrets. My team has character, but we were lacking a little something to win it. But it's still a point more," Lyon coach Remi Garde said.

"That's important ahead of the big games that we've got coming up in the Champions League."

Caen is winless in its last eight Ligue 1 matches, and has not scored over its last three. The club's last win was against Dijon, in Week 13.

"Everyone wants to pull in the same direction, whether you play a lot or not, whether it be the oldest or the youngest member of the squad, whether you're at the end of your contract or not. You have to think about the club, and try and find that little spark," said Caen midfielder Frederic Bulot.

Caen would get a spark with a win at Lyon, and it has a lot to play for with a place in the relegation zone possible otherwise. With Champions League play on the horizon, and sight of the summit fading, Lyon has a lot to play for also.

Also Saturday, second-place Montpellier hosts Ajaccio, Auxerre hosts Lorient, Valenciennes hosts Nancy, Brest hosts Dijon, and Rennes hosts Sochaux. Evian was set to host Marseille, but the match has been postponed.

On Sunday, PSG visits Nice when it could need a result to pull clear of rival Montpellier, which enters the weekend just three points back.

"It's a perilous trip," said PSG's Mathieu Bodmer. "Nice need points, as do we in terms of the Ligue 1 title. We're going down there to take three points.

"We're going to be focused, highly-motivated, and will go out onto the pitch with the aim of playing better than we did against Evian, but it's the result which counts."

Third-place Lille hosts Bordeaux in a match of two of the last three champions and Toulouse hosts St Etienne in Sunday's other fixtures.

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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