Real Madrid V Lyon: Champions League Betting (Last-Sixteen)

Real Madrid V Lyon

Wednesday, 10^th March – 19:45 GMT

First-Leg: Lyon 1-0 Real Madrid

In a tetchy first leg encounter in France, Lyon snatched a crucial first leg lead, one most neutrals felt they needed if they wanted to harbour realistic claims for qualifying over two-legs against one of the strongest teams in Europe. Fittingly, it was a stunning strike that handed Lyon some form of initiative after Jean Makoun’s superb strike from around the 30-yard mark sailed past Iker Casillas in the Madrid goal. The backtracking Madrid defence paid the penalty for their reluctance to close the Cameroon international down and, in doing so, handed Lyon a first-leg trump card.

With neither side wanting to give too much space or possession away, evidentially chances were few and far between. It was Lyon, though, who takes there’s and it was the ideal result from a neutrals perspective as it opens this tie up somewhat as the Galacticos were fancied to sail through to their first quarter-final appearance since 2004 at the expense of a stubborn Lyon. That might still be the case but Lyon will now travel to Spain knowing that a spirited, hard-working display in defence just might see them record one of their biggest European feats in their history. French sides have proven down the years to be more than adept at keeping quality teams out for prolonger period of time, so will Real Madrid pay the price for their lacklustre efforts back in France in the first-leg?

Despite boasting a one goal advantage, Lyon are the less fancied of the two to qualify, with Real Madrid a best priced 1.67 with PaddyPower to see off their French opponents with victory back at the Bernabeu. The current tie leaders, Lyon, look a tasty proposition at odds of 2.40 with bWin when you consider the pressure is firmly on their opponents to as all the questions in Spain, while Lyon could deploy their familiar yet world famous tactic of defending with discipline, yet breaking out of defence with numbers and at pace. This tie could be set up nicely for the French side, although the same could be said for Madrid as they know they need to attack in order to obliterate Lyon’s one goal lead. The tie is poised, but which side will grab a place in the draw for the last-eight with both hands?

Real Madrid

Outright Odds: 13/2 BetFred

Dare we say it but Real Madrid, the mighty Madrid, have their work cut out as they set out to overhaul this one goal led of Lyon’s. The Spanish giants will need to pick their way through a stubborn and resilient back line of Lyon’s if they are to win the coveted Champions League crown in their first real season after their high-profiled summer revamp. IN many respects, Madrid were at least expect to make the finals after shelling out hundreds of millions during the summer months of world class talent, but could a shock be on the cards as Real Madrid aim to reach their first quarter-final since 2004.

To be honest, it’s hard not to see Madrid at least levelling the aggregate scoring, such is the prowess of their strength in depth at the club. Moreover, their battling display at the weekend just might have been the catalyst they needed for a tie which requires plenty of determination, tonnes of hunger and plenty of combative qualities. Similar to the situation they face on Wednesday, Madrid found themselves staring down the barrel of defeat as they fell to a 2-0 lead at home to Sevilla on Saturday. This was after Madrid dominated the entire first half but to no avail. However, like all great teams do, Madrid stormed back and two quick fire strikes from Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos put Real back on level terms, lifting both the mood of the fans and the players. It did, however, take an awful long time before the goal that seemed inevitable after Madrid’s second came, with Gonzalo Higuain prodding home an injury time winner to send the home crowd into raptures.

Madrid manager, Manuel Pellegrini, will be hoping for more of the same and that their desire to defy adversity on Saturday was perhaps a sign of things to come. Although the manner in which Madrid fell to a 2-0 deficit was concerning, how Mardrid responded was magnificent and emphatic, and they will now head into this defining second leg with all the momentum and confidence off the back of that sensational comeback.

A burden needs to be lifted from upon Madrid’s shoulders though, as Lyon have not been beaten at the Bernabeu in either of the previous two visits. That was, however, back before Madrid had the likes of Ronaldo, Kaka and Higuain on the books, so we expect a role reversal on Wednesday in that we fancy Madrid to end Lyon’s unbeaten run at the Bernabeu.

Lyon

Outright Odds: 33/1 Boylesports

While Lyon didn’t exactly excel in the opening leg, they did get that ever important victory needed to keep them in with a chance of making the quarter’s. Jean Makoun gave Lyon a valuable first-leg home victory, although had he not of done so then bookies might have taken more of a firm stance on Madrid’s passage into the next round. Instead, however, Lyon are in with a sniff, more than a sniff if you consider their recent form at the Bernabeu; drawing on their previous two visits, scoring on both occasions however.

Lyon will need to maintain their goalscoring trend in Madrid if they are to have any realistic hopes of making the quarter’s, because as strong as Lyon’s defence can be, it’s difficult to envisage Real not scoring at least once back on home soil. Their more glamours opponents have far too much striking talent on show for them not to breakthrough what is an almost infallible Lyon defence at times. However, for all Madrid are worth from an attacking sense, the one thing the Spanish side don’t have is an illustrious away goal, so should Lyon somehow snatch a goal at the Bernabeu, a genuine shock could be on the card.

We honestly feel a goal is needed in Madrid as we don’t see the home side not scoring during the 90 minutes. Manager Claude Puel clearly thinks the same as he rested both Lisandro Lopez and Cesar Delgado ahead of his sides trip to Spain, with the idea being to freshen up the Lyon attack. However, his plan to rest a few of his key players over the weekend backfired as Lyon could only managed a dull 0-0 draw at Boulogne, a team second from bottom in the French Ligue 1. Not only was that draw disappointing but will have halted any momentum Lyon previously had, which was three wins on the spin, four if you include their first leg victory.

For one reason or another we feel Lyon could spring the surprise of all surprise this week as their defensive set up makes them one tough proposition to overcome, especially when you’re chasing a goal or two. French sides are renowned for their experienced defences, back lines with discipline. However, there are very few in the professional business who do it better than Lyon in regards to keeping it neat and tidy at the back, so for all Madrid’s attacking worth, Lyon are the bet to be on in our eyes as we bank on their stubborn resistance not only paying dividends with progression but perhaps with a victory in Madrid as a lengthy spell without a goal for the some side will lead to frustrations boiling over.

Our Verdict: Lyon to WIN – 10.00 SportingBet

The draw is probably the best punt here, but Lyon could snatch an historical win at the Bernabeu providing they maintain their discipline at the back and take their chances when they do come, and trust me, against a Madrid defence which has yet to convince me, they will get chances. Lyon’s odds look far too big for a side which will spend large periods of time defending, yet will break away at pace, with numbers and have the players in the final third with the composure to finish. To be fair, you would have to be brave to have a punt on the home side considering their odds are wafer thin, so whatever the result, we feel a small punt on Lyon is certainly worthwhile, even if it’s for value sake.

Match Odds:

Real Madrid – 1.33 Expekt

Draw – 5.50 Bet365

Lyon – 10.00 SportingBet