Lyon v Barcelona, Champions League last-16 first leg tips, betting guide

BT Sport 3, 8pm Tuesday

Lyon tend to raise their game for matches against Europe's elite and they should give Barcelona a proper test in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Bruno Genesio's side became the first side in Ligue 1 to beat Paris St-Germain this season, triumphing 2-1 against the champions in the OL Stadium earlier this month, and they collected four points from their group-stage contests against Manchester City.

It was by no means a smash-and-grab raid against City. Lyon deservedly won 2-1 at the Etihad and were unfortunate not to land a double as they led twice in a 2-2 home draw.

The early prices underestimated Lyon with Barca around the 8-13 mark, although the Catalans have drifted significantly despite the possibility of the hosts missing two more key players with Jason Denayer and Tanguy Ndombele doubtful.

Captain and main forward threat Nabil Fekir is already suspended so with Lyon potentially going into battle without several influential performers, the value could instead lie with the draw rather than an upset.

• 2018-19 Champions League results, stats and tables

Fekir's absence will be felt, although Memphis Depay is capable of world-class moments and debate rages in the fine Lyon restaurants as to whether Ndombele or Houssem Aouar is the brighter midfield prospect. Both are potentially brilliant.

Lyon struggle defensively - both teams to score landed in all six of their group-stage matches - and it's understandably a short price for that run to continue with Lionel Messi in the visiting ranks.

Messi, who scored and missed a penalty in the 1-0 win over Valladolid on Saturday, is the top scorer in La Liga with 22 goals and he arrives in great condition after notching 13 times in his last 11 appearances in all competitions.

His six Champions League goals have come in just 297 minutes this season and the speedy Lyon left-back Ferland Mendy, a highly-rated attack-minded player, will need to show more of his defensive qualities to keep Messi in check.

However, Luis Suarez has not scored in this season's Champions League and missed a number of chances against Valladolid, while Barca tend to struggle away from Camp Nou in the more important Champions League knockout games.

Barca, who have collapsed away to PSG and Roma in recent years, are on a run of one win, one draw and five defeats in their last seven away Champions League knockout matches.

Recommendation
Draw
1pt 3-1 general

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Team news
Lyon
Nabil Fekir is suspended and Jason Denayer and Tanguy Ndombele will need late fitness tests.

Barcelona
Former Lyon centre-back Samuel Umtiti returns to the Barcelona squad, however, he may not be fit enough to start. Artur, Rafinha, Thomas Vermaelen and Jasper Cillessen are injured.

Key stat
Barca have won only seven of their last 19 away matches in the Champions League.

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