Wednesday 7th November 2000hrs Lyon v Hoffenheim Football – Europe – Champions League If goals are your thing then Group F is the one to watch. There have been 23 goals in the six matches played thus far and there is no reason why we can’t expect a similar amount as we go beyond the halfway stage of this section. It’s also very wide open in terms of chances of qualification and whilst we would assume that Manchester City will finish powerfully and secure top spot, the race for the second qualifying position may go to the wire if the visitors can get a result in this one. Lyon host Hoffenheim, continue reading for a match preview a selected best betting tip.
Lyon started this group on fire with a surprise – but deserved – win away to Manchester City who were the pre-tournament favourites to win the Champions League. With five points and being unbeaten at the halfway stage you would think that coach Bruno Genesio would be delighted, especially with two home games to come in the second half of the group, but the Ligue 1 team could be in such a stronger position. They squandered chance after chance at home to Shakthar Donetsk at home and even though they come back from two goals down to get a draw they could even have won it late on. It was a similar sort of all action game away to Hoffenheim last time out and they failed to see out a 3-2 lead, conceding in injury time. Overall they remain in a strong position but they will probably feel they should be on maximum points and have to reset and go again, starting with this game against Hoffenheim. With such a young, dynamic squad it was always likely that Lyon may have some inconsistencies at this level and we’re seeing that in each game but it’s exciting to watch and when they do click, they are a joy to watch.
Hoffenheim have done incredibly well to qualify for the Champions League these past two seasons and courtesy of UEFA changing the rules somewhat this term they find themselves straight through to the group stage. Their report card at the halfway stage would probably be satisfactory and a realistic assessment of where this group of players are. Talented though they are, they lack experience at this level but their quality can often overcome that against teams of a similar standing. Their only defeat came at home to Manchester City – a match you would expect them to be second best again and they were. But they have equipped themselves well against both Shakthar and Lyon, taking draws in both. They come into Wednesday’s game on the back of arguably their best performance and result of the season, winning 4-1 away to Bayer Leverkusen to begin their climb up the Bundesliga. Only three teams have scored more goals in the league than Hoffenheim this season, staying true to Julian Nagelsmann’s attacking philosophy and they will need all that firepower to get a result in France this week.
Lyon v Hoffenheim Betting Tip
It was a six goal thriller when these two met a fortnight ago and if ever a game deserved that score line then it was that one. Neither team have been able to find the consistency in their domestic form that they would have been hoping for with Lyon currently in fourth and Hoffenheim in seventh in their respective leagues. It’s the Ligue 1 club who are in prime position to qualify from this group, though, and virtually do so by winning on Wednesday. A win would make it impossible for Hoffenheim to overtake their opponents in the remaining couple of games due to an inferior head to head so the importance of this cannot be underestimated for the visitors, particularly as they still have to visit Manchester to face City.
Unlike their first home game in this section, Lyon will have the advantage of the backing of their own supporters having played in an empty Stade de Gerland against Shakthar. The home support is usually ferocious and on the evidence of what we have seen so far in the section I am siding with Lyon to get a win that could well see them virtually qualify for the knockout stage tomorrow evening. For that to happen they require a Manchester City win at home to Shakthar and being victorious themselves.
Selection: Lyon 11/10 @ William Hill
