Lyonnais vs Toulouse preview - Lyon look to continue good form

Lyon manager Hubert Fournier has dismissed the importance of leading Ligue 1 at this stage in the season and is firmly focused on starting the new year in the best possible way with a win over Toulouse on Sunday.

Lyon start 2015 second in the overall standings, just two points adrift of pacesetters Marseille and a point clear of defending champions Paris St Germain.

Fournier's side finished last year with a 5-0 away thumping of Bordeaux in the league before a 3-2 Coupe de France win over Lens.

Marseille play Montpellier on Friday, and Fournier said: "The OM match in Montpellier adds some spice, but we are concentrating on our match against Toulouse.

"TFC is a team lacking in confidence. It is surprising that they are found at this level... I trust (Toulouse manager) Alain Casanova, one of the most experienced coaches in our league, to find the solution... hopefully after Sunday's game!"

When asked if he is focused on climbing to the top of the standings, Fournier told olweb.fr: "It would be trivial at this time of the season. A victory would launch the new year positively against an opponent whom we've already lost to away."

Lyon defender Mouhamadou Dabo, who played only his fourth game of the season against Lens in the cup due to injury, hailed the great team spirit in the dressing room.

"The mood is good. There is a good atmosphere," the 28-year-old told the club's official website. "It is the glue that holds the team together.

"Players who do not play pull the group up. I salute their courage...It is by learning from each other that we have improved."

Toulouse are currently 14th in the league standings and coach Casanova has hailed goalkeeper Ali Ahamada's return to form.

"Ali is very good since he is back in the team," Casanova said.

"He is getting back to a level that he was at before experiencing a small decline, including even more quality mentally.

"He is again becoming one of the best goalkeepers in Ligue 1."

The match has been moved back three hours from its original 1pm GMT kick-off time to respect the planned tributes to the victims of this week's shootings in Paris.