Previews

Bayern favourites for Lyon tie

Author: John Harris
Date: 27/04/2010
Football betting

Bayern Munich have the advantage but it's a narrow one heading into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Lyon.

Arjen Robben's 25-yard stunner in last week's first leg at the Allianz Arena separates the sides ahead of Tuesday's return at the Stade Gerland and there is definitely all to play for between two evenly-matched teams.

Bayern obviously have a major advantage as they lead the tie at the midway point and did not concede a dangerous away goal despite playing the second half of last Wednesday's game with ten men following the dismissal of Franck Ribery.

Ribery will miss the trip to France through suspension, alongside Lyon's key midfield anchor Jeremy Toulalan after his late red card for a second bookable offence.

However, Lyon are promising a different approach to the second leg and have had the luxury of a weekend without league action to prepare for this massive encounter.

"It's not over yet," declared their Bosnia playmaker Miralem Pjanic. "We'll deliver a better performance in front of our home fans and we'll be more at liberty to attack."

What may count against the home side is the fact that Lyon are winless in their last four competitive games (two defeats and two draws).

Meanwhile, in contrast to Lyon's free weekend, Bayern were forced to battle hard to retain their lead at the top of the Bundesliga table.

Louis van Gaal's side had to come from behind to snatch a 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday afternoon to hold off the challenge of nearest title rivals Schalke.

The sportsbooks believe that Bayern have the advantage as they have been installed as favourites to reach next month's final in Madrid.

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However, Bayern travel to France with a number of question marks hanging over the fitness of key players.

Captain Mark van Bommel and left-back Holger Badstuber are both available following suspension, but first-choice central defenders Daniel van Buyten (shin) and Martin Demichelis (calf) picked up knocks against Monchengladbach.

Danijel Pranjic and Ribery are suspended but Turkey international Hamit Altintop has resumed training following a groin strain.

For Lyon, captain Cris is a major concern with a knee injury and may have to be replaced by fit-again centre-half Jean-Alain Boumsong in the starting line-up.

Leading scorer Lisandro Lopez is also a major doubt with a continuing ankle problem.

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