Lyon definitely seems to be on the decline. Somehow they fluked into the best performance of their champion's league history last season when they've deserved it the least over the years, but this will be their third season without a trophy I believe.
Puel (coach) is an ass, Aulas (owner) is so distracted trying to get them into a new stadium and make them into a brand that he forgot he needs a team out there. Over the years they sold Diawara, Abidal, Malouda, Essien, Benzema, Tiago and essentially lost Coupet, Cris and Juninho to age while making questionable purchases of the likes of Fred, Baros, Kader Keita, Boumsong, Piquionne, Makoun and a waning Gourcuff.
It says a lot that this is one of the weakest French leagues in recent history and they're scrambling to make it into a champion's league place.