Lyon v Juventus Betting Tips: Can the hosts stop Cristiano Ronaldo and co?

Lyon have won just three home games in the league allseason, with a 3-1 victory over Zenit their only home win so far in theChampions League. 

While Juventus have been far from perfect in the league,they still sit atop Serie A and they qualified from Group D with ease, onlydropping two points in a respectable 2-2 draw away to Atletico Madrid.

That said, recent away losses to Verona and Napoli havedemonstrated a vulnerability that coach Maurizio Sarri puts down tocomplacency. He recently emphasized the need for his players to get their handsdirty and not shy away from the hard work needed to become serial winners.

Likely XIs

Lyon star Memphis Depay was ruled out for the season back in December. They’re likely to continue with the 3-4-3 formation they tested at the weekend.

That will see Brazilian Marçal lining up alongside JasonDenayer and his countrymate Marcelo in a back three, giving extra protectionagainst Juventus’ likely 4-3-3 formation.

Juve have several players doubtful, with captain GiorgioChiellini, experienced forward Gonzalo Higuain and Miralem Pjanic all unlikelyto feature.

Despite that, Sarri can choose from Douglas Costa, CristianoRonaldo, Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado to make up a potent front three.

Key Battles

Cristiano Ronaldo is on a record-equalling run of 11 goals in 11 league games and stopping the 35-year-old forward will be top of Lyon’s list of priorities.

However, that’s easier said than done and the Portuguese will be eager to add to his tally of two Champions League goals so far this season. Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes could be in for a busy night.

Lyon’s goal threat primarily comes from former Fulham andCeltic striker Moussa Dembele who has netted 14 times in Ligue 1, but is yet tofind the target in the Champions League. The injured Memphis Depay’s five goalsare what got them this far and they’ll need the 23-year-old Frenchman to stepup in his absence if they hope to progress.

Both teams like to employ a high pressing game, but Lyon could opt for a more conservative counter-attacking style due to the quality of their opposition tonight. If not, they could find themselves picked off by the pace of Cuadrado, Dybala’s passing range and Ronaldo’s lethal finishing.

Goalscorer Odds

Unsurprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo is the favourite to score first at 23/10, anytime at 19/20, or to score two or more at 4/1.

If you think Gonzalo Higuain will return to the starting 11, you can find both him and Paulo Dybala at 21/10 to score anytime.

Moussa Dembele leads the betting as far as Lyon are concerned and you can back him at 7/2 to score first, or 13/8 to score anytime.

View the latest Lyon v Juventus betting odds.

All odds and markets correct at time of writing