Champions Lyon travel to Rennes in a French league match on Saturday searching for their 15th consecutive victory in all competitions this season.

Aulas, reacting to the comments by 20-year-old Sylvain Marveaux that referees were lenient to Lyon, said: "I think his comments are biased and vicious, all the more so as they come from a young player."

The incredible run of the French champions of the last five seasons continued in midweek with a 1-0 Champions League win over Dynamo Kiev and, on current form, Rennes should be yet another victim.

Lyon have only failed to win once this season in their second French league match, a 1-1 draw at home to Toulouse.

However Marveaux had his own theory on what has helped Lyon dominate this season, saying referees often favoured them.

"Of course it's easier to whistle a penalty for Lyon than for a small team," he said when asked at a press conference whether officials were indulgent towards Lyon.

"That's the strength of a big club which is normal," he added. "Their president (Jean-Michel) Aulas has lots of influence and his club is getting more and more prominent on the European football scene."

Marveaux, who joined the pro ranks this season, has scored one goal in the league, against Auxerre, and another in the League Cup against Lille.

Aulas replied by saying: "He is young and lacks experience. He needs to know how to control his nerves before a match as big as Saturday. To criticise referees and attack Lyon is not a sign of confidence.

"And for his information, I would remind him that Lyon have only had one penalty awarded this season, from which they did not score, while Rennes have had three."

Lyon's failed penalty attempt came against St Etienne on October 14 which was taken by Juninho Pernambucano and saved by Jeremy Janot.

Lyon's Brazilian defender Cris will be suspended for the match while Fred, Patrick Muller and Claudio Cacapa are unavailable. Brazilian Fred will be out until after the winter break after tearing a hamstring against Marseille 11 days ago.

Meanwhile defenders Muller and Cacapa are on the mend after dislocating the right shoulder and tearing a right thigh muscle respectively.

Rennes player Youssouf Hadji, who hurt his left knee in their 1-0 defeat at Paris Saint Germain on Saturday, is out of the reckoning though apart from that the squad is fully fit.

Second-placed Marseille, who have 20 points from their 11 matches -- a mammoth 11 points behind runaway leaders Lyon who have earned 31 points out of a possible 33 -- have Argentine defender Renato Civelli as a doubt for their home match against Lorient with a calf injury.

However Marseille coach Albert Emon can count on Nigeria's Taiwo, who returns from suspension, and midfielder Wilson Oruma, though midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has a hamstring pull and is out of the frame.

In other matches, bottom club Monaco must do without midfielder Jaroslav Plasil and defender Sylvain Monsoreau for their home match against Nice on Saturday and Paris Saint Germain entertain Lens in Sunday's late game.
Fixtures
Saturday
Rennes v Lyon, Auxerre v Le Mans, Marseille v Lorient, Monaco v Nice, St Etienne v Toulouse, Sedan v Nantes, Sochaux v Troyes, Valenciennes v Lille
Sunday
Nancy v Bordeaux, Paris Saint Germain v Lens