Barcelona v Lyon Betting Tips: Messi and co to finally break down Lyon?
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Preview and odds for Champions League clash
Lyon have been one of the surprise packages in this season’s Champions League. But their run could end tonight.
The French side took four points off Manchester City in the group phase, and then held up strong to force a 0-0 draw against Barcelona in last month’s first leg.
But trying to get a result from the Camp Nou is a different matter entirely. Can Lionel Messi guide the Catalan side to the last eight? It’s live on BT Sport 3, and gets underway 8.00pm…
Head-to-head
This will be the eighth meeting between the teams, with Barcelona yet to taste defeat.
The Spanish side have won four and drawn three of the previous seven clashes. Notably, Lyon have lost each of their three trips to the Camp Nou.
And that could become four. Barcelona haven’t lost a home game in the Champions League since 2013, winning 26 of their 29 games since then.
Barca are unbeaten in seven coming into tonight’s game, while Lyon have won three of their last seven.
Likely XIs
Ernesto Valverde won’t change too many things from Saturday’s 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano.
Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez will be the goal threats up top, with either Philippe Coutinho or Ousmane Dembele completing the front three.
Ivan Rakitic is likely to come into the midfield to offer poise and protection, possibly in place of the relatively inexperienced Arthur.
Lyon boss Bruno Genesio went 4-4-2 in the first leg, and may do the same in Spain.
That would see Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele paired together again up front, although Nabil Fekir is an option. Genesio could opt to play all three in a counter-attacking role.
Key battles
Lyon soaked up all the pressure in last month’s first leg. Barcelona had 23 shots on goal and 64% possession.
Can the French side hold up again? It would be a mighty achievement. But Messi and co need to be careful – Lyon were brilliant in counter-attacking when beating Manchester City at the Etihad in October with just 36% possession.
Expect much of the game to take place in the Lyon half, with Depay, Dembele and/or Fekir left up front to pounce on the break.
Match odds
The La Liga giants are 2/9 favourites to win this in 90 minutes, and after the 0-0 in France, any win for Barcelona would see them through.
Lyon are out at 12/1, while a draw is 11/2. A score draw would put the French side through, and that’s priced up at 13/2.
As is the norm, Messi is favourite to net first at 15/8. The Argentine has scored 32 goals in 30 games across La Liga and the Champions League this season.
Suarez is next up at 3/1, with Dembele heading up Lyon’s first goalscorer betting at 11/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
