Betting Update; BARCELONA v LYON with the bookmakers making Barcelona their 4/9 favourites

It turns out Barcelona aren’t the greatest side in the world of all time after all. The world’s media seemed to think they would beat Lyon merely by turning up for the first leg of this clash at Stade de Gerland, but Lyon proved the doubters wrong with a highly creditable 1-1 draw.

[ClickPress, Tue Mar 10 2009] Since then Barca have suffered a 4-3 defeat at Atletico Madrid that had coach Josep Guardiola having to stake off talk of a crisis. The use of such a strong word in relation to a side still four points clear at the top of the Liga is nonsense – but the Catalans have lost some of their lustre over the past couple of weeks.

Lyon have been preparing for this game from the moment the final whistle sounded at the end of the first meeting between the sides. Coach Claude Puel had one eye on this match when picking his teams for Ligue 1 and Coupe de France clashes in the intervening period as he’s fully aware he was brought to the club as Lyon manager last summer to guide Lyon to the last four of Europe’s premier club competition for the first time in the club’s history. He’s not about to throw in the towel just because his side are facing the most fearsome attacking force on the continent.

Lyon also have a wealth of experience to fall back on, since they’ve played in last 16 ties in each of the past six seasons. Cris, Juninho, Karim Benzema and others know exactly what’s expected of them, and won’t be fazed by a visit to the Catalonian temple of football.

Can Lyon actually win on the night? No – but a draw certainly isn’t beyond them. Barcelona’s defensive frailties have been laid bare in the past fortnight and, in Benzema, Lyon have exactly the player to take advantage of any flaws. Juninho is a masterful threat at free-kicks, as he showed with his wonderful strike in the first leg. A 1-1 draw, and Benzema and Juninho to score anytime, are worth considering.

But over 2.5 goals is my pick, simply because it’s not in either team’s nature to defend when stakes are high. I don’t believe Lyon have the quality at the back (Jean-Alain Boumsong, anyone?) to hold out against Barcelona’s front trio of Samuel Eto’o, Thierry Henry and Lionel Messi, and the moment Barca score, Lyon will be forced to open up. Should the visitors score first, the game will be even more adventurous as the hosts, roared on by a crowd approaching 100,000, seek the two goals they would need to get through.


Recommended Bets - Over 2.5 goals
• All prices correct at time of writing.

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