Lyon fancied to overcome Roma

LYON - LYON will try to put Saturday's crowd trouble in their derby at St Etienne behind them as they tackle Roma today.

The pair meet in their second-leg Champions League last-16 match.

Lyon's match at St Etienne was held up for 20 minutes, after fans threw smoke bombs onto the pitch with the hosts 0-3 down in the second half.

Lyon could be facing sanctions from the French football league if their fans are found to have had a part in the incident.

The European fixture will be a welcome distraction as the French champions bid to reach the quarter-finals for the fourth successive year.

Lyon are the favourites after holding Roma to a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Rome's Olympic Stadium.

One problem Lyon face is an unsettled side, with coach Gerard Houllier constantly tinkering with his starting XI.

He will have to do so again as key midfielder Jeremy Toulalan is suspended.

Roma's recent Champions League history has been far from glorious but Brazilian midfielder Mancini believes Lyon will bring the best out of them.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE