Barcelona host Lyon at Nou Camp for a place in the Quarter Finals of the Champions League!
The 1st leg surprisingly finished in a goalless draw in France as neither team could find the back of them thus ending the game 0-0. Barcelona dominated the game, but couldn’t find the breakthrough.
Barcelona are playing exceptional football. They are unbeaten in 11 straight and ever since the 0-0 draw against Lyon, they have won 4 in a row including 2 El Classico wins, an away win in Sevilla and they are currently coming off a come back win against Vallecano as they turned a 0-1 deficit into a 3-1 win. It’s been a great few weeks for Barca entering this game.
Lyon have been up and down lately. Since the 0-0 draw against Barcelona, they won 2 of 4 drawing 1 and losing 1. Lyon are coming off a very frustrating 2-2 draw against Strasbourg where they let a 2 goal lead slip by conceding 2 quick fire goals.
Lyon are going through a crazy stretch in the Champions League right now as they’ve drawn 6 consecutive games in the competition which is actually a tied competition record.
One thing about Lyon that is dangerous if their ability to perform against top tier European sides in the CL, they have beaten Man City and drew with them while also drawing against Barcelona as mentioned. Lyon have been able to live to the occasion so far this season and give European elites tough games.
Barcelona are playing at home where they are near unbeatable in general. At Nou Camp, Barcelona very rarely lose games for example only one defeat this season. They are unbeaten in 12 straight at home currently winning 9 of those. Barcelona’s recent European record at Nou Camp has been especially ridiculous going unbeaten in 29 straight winning 26 of those games. Beating, even drawing against Barcelona here is going to be an extremely daunting task for Lyon.
Lyon have actually been a good away side this season overall although their recent away form has been poor with 1D 2L in their last 3 games. Prior to that run they did manage to go 14 unbeaten on their travels, but recently as said they haven’t been too good away from home despite overall being a good away side. Lyon are yet to lose an away game in Europe including picking up a fantastic win against Man City when they knocked them off 1-2 therefore they do have experience at winning against Europe’s elite away from home already this season.
Of course, Lionel Messi is the KEY man for Barcelona to get the job done. 34 Goals in 34 apps this season (6 in 5 CL games) while supplying loads of assists this season is definitely an exceptional record. Messi has 60 goals in 60 European games at Nou Camp so clearly without a doubt, Messi is expected to deliver and should deliver for his team to put them through.
For Lyon there are a lot of keys. First of all the backline will have to hold up against that Barcelona attack because if they concede goals at high rate it’ll be game over quickly for them. Going forward a trio of Depay, Fekir and Dembele will all need to show up. They’re all dangerous and if Lyon want to score they MUST be on their game. Moussa Dembele has 4 goals in his last 2 apps, Depay got 2 in his last 2 and Fekir has 2 goals in his last 3 so right now they’re all showing decent form which is very important for Lyon.
Barcelona have an exceptional Champions League record against the French sides at Nou Camp (8W 1D) while scoring at least one goal in every game.
Lyon have been terrible away from home in the knockout stage of UCL lately. They’ve not won 9 straight away from home in the Champions League knockouts losing 7 of those. The deck is stacked against them for sure here.
Barcelona and Lyon have faced each other 3 times since 2000 at the Nou Camp. Barcelona have been dominating the French side at home in these meetings winning games 2-0, 3-0 and 5-2. If history repeats itself then Barcelona are in good hands.
Barcelona, understandably so are the clear bookies favourites to win the game at 1.25 while Lyon are the ultimate underdog at 12.50 with Draw priced at 7.00. Barcelona are also the clear favourite to advance at 1.18 while Lyon are offered at 5.50 to advance. Barcelona are clearly expected to grab a solid win and advance according to bookies and probably everyone else around the world. Lyon winning could seriously shock the world here. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
Barcelona: Ousmane Dembele is out for Barcelona and will likely be replaced by Coutinho or Malcom. Vermaelen is also out otherwise Barca have everyone available.
Lyon: Nabil Fekir is back after being suspended in the 1st leg which boosts Lyon’s attack strength. Lyon don’t seem to have any serious absentees and should be able to field a strong side.
Betting Stats (UCL Based)
All 5 Barcelona’s conceded goals in the CL this season have come in the 2nd half. They’re yet to concede a 1st half goal in Europe this year.
Barcelona have covered 33.3% of their total goal overs at home in UCL this season (1-2).
Barcelona are yet to cover any of their total 1st half goal overs at home in UCL this season (0-3).
Barcelona average 1.67 bookings per game at home in UCL this season (5 bookings in 3 games).
Lionel Messi is Barcelona’s top scorer in UCL at Nou Camp with 3 home European goals. Dembele is 2nd with 2.
Barcelona have covered 66.7% of their Handicaps at home in UCL this season (2-1).
Barcelona have covered 66.7% of their 1st half Handicaps at home in UCL this season (2-1-0).
Lyon have covered 33.3% of their total goal overs away from home in UCL this season (1-2).
Lyon have covered 66.7% of their 1st half total goal overs away from home in UCL this season (2-1).
Lyon average 1.67 bookings per game away from home in UCL this season (5 bookings in 3 games).
Nabil Fekir is Lyon’s top scorer away from home in UCL this season with 2 away European goals.
Lyon have covered 100% of their Handicaps away from home in UCL this season (3-0).
Lyon have covered 33.3% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home in UCL this season (1-1-1).
KICK OFF – 13th March 2019 – 8pm UK Time
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