Lyon vs Zenit Prediction and Preview – 04/11/15
Champions League preview – Lyon vs Zenit prediction
Lyon are still without a number of key players, some of which are facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines. The main absentees are Nabil Fekir and Clement Grenier. There are also doubts over the fitness of veteran midfielder Steed Malbranque and defender Milan Bisevac.
Zenit will have to make do without Argentina international Ezequiel Garay at the back and therefore, Luis Neto is likely to start in the back four. Midfielder Viktor Faizulin also misses the game due to injury but Brazilian forward Hulk has been passed fit to play.
Possible Line-ups
Lyon: 4-3-1-2 formation: Lopes: Jallet, Yanga-Mbiwa, Umtiti, Morel; Ferri, Gonalons, Tolisso; Valbuena; Lacazette, Beauvue
Zenit: 4-2-3-1 formation: Kerzhakov; Smolnikov, Neto, Lombaerts, Criscito; Garcia, Witsel; Hulk, Danny, Shatov; Dzyuba
Statistics
- Lyon have won 4, drawn 3 and lost 3 of their last 10 matches
- Zenit have won 5 and drawn 5 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Lyon have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1 goal per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Zenit have scored an average of 2.3 goals and conceded an average of 0.8 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Lyon’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Zenit’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Lyon’s 3-1 defeat to Zenit a couple of weeks ago is their only defeat in their last five matches. Since that game, Lyon have recorded 3-0 and 1-0 wins in Ligue 1 and currently sit second in the table. However, sitting bottom of Champions League Group H with only a point, Lyon know they have to win this match to stand any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages and if they do take maximum points, it will be their first win in the group.
Zenit are on an unbeaten run of twelve games and sit top of Group H on maximum points. A win here will secure progress to the knockout stages with two games to spare and allow Andre Villas-Boas’ team some breathing space going in to the final two matches. Up until the weekend, Zenit had been scoring plenty of goals but defensively they have also been very good, conceding 2 goals in their last four games.
Lyon have been struggling in Europe this season and Zenit have what it takes to make it four wins from four in Group H.
Tips
Draw or Zenit at 8/11 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Over 2.5 goals at 19/20 – Click here to bet with Bet365
Zenit win 2-1 at 11/1 – Click here to bet with Bet365
What are your predictions?
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