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Even though Lyon is not the same team as a couple of years ago, they are still capable of challenging the top sides and will try to upset Juventus at home. However, Juve will be keen to bounce back after losing to Napoli over the weekend.
Lyon had an absolutely horrific start to the season, but recovered eventually and at one moment was winning game after game in France and Europe. Right now Lyon (5th in the league) has lost 3 out of the last 4 games, but at a closer look one can`t really say the team is in bad form. OL lost a close match to a strong Monaco team, lost 2-1 to Plzen after winning 4-1 in the first leg and, finally, were beaten by St Etienne at home this weekend, but there`s no doubt Lyon was thinking about this Juventus game. The hosts have been air tight on the defensive end for much of this season, but recently started to concede more (just 1 clean sheet in the last 6 games) – this will be something that Remi Garde will be keen to fix with a fantastic Juventus side coming to Stade Gerlande.
Juve had a fantastic season, no doubt about that, and the 2-0 loss to Napoli this weekend made little difference in the race for Scudetto – Juve are virtually champions. It was Juve`s first loss since January and ended an amazing streak of 11 wins and 1 draw in 12 matches. With the title all but wrapped up, Juventus will be hugely motivated for this clash, especially with the Europa League final set to be played on their own stadium. They will probably be even more focused after almost being knocked out by Fiorentina in the last round, being saved by a late (and brilliant) Pirlo free kick in the second leg.
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Team news & lineups
Both sides have squad problems for this one. Lyon won`t be able to count on Benzia, Gourcouff and Lopez, while a number of players being questionable (Grenier, Fofana, Umtiti, Dabo, Bisevac). Juventus will have to do without Ogbonna, Barzagli, Pepe, Peluso and Vidal.
Olympique Lyon: A. Lopes – Zeffane, Kone, Bisevac, Bedimo – Ferri, Gonalons, Mvuemba – Gourcuff – Lacazette, Gomis
Juventus Torino: Buffon – Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini – Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah – Llorente, Tevez
Juve is surely a massive favorite in this tie and should be able to win this even if they play away. However, I doubt it will be easy. Lyon is not playing bad at all and will try to regain their defensive form to hold Juve at bay. Napoli and Fiorentina recently proved that the “Old Lady” can be beaten as long as you keep it together in defense. The hosts have great potential at the back and I`m sure in such a big game they will step up their play, so this might be a very tight, low scoring game – especially since I really can`t see the hosts being able to put too much pressure offensively. Juventus would probably be happy with a narrow win or even a draw, so I can`t anticipate any urgency from either side. In these conditions my tip will be under 2,5 goals to be scored. However, there could be a reason to worry, as Lyon might miss 2 key defenders in Bisevac and Umtiti (both doubtful), but there are offensive players missing as well, so things even out – also, the key center back Bisevac will probably start the game. Prediction: Olympique Lyon – Juventus Torino 0-1.
Pick: under 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.84 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.72
Event date: 3 April
