Lyon vs Barcelona 2019 Champions League Odds & Pick

The knockout rounds of the Champions League begin for Lyon vs Barcelona on Tuesday as the two teams are set to square off in France. Barcelona limps into this matchup from an offensive perspective as they only beat Real Valladolid in La Liga play by a 1-0 margin on Saturday — and had drawn in three consecutive matches before that. Barcelona may have defender Samuel Umtiti (knee) back, but will still play without Thomas Vermaelen (leg). Nabil Fekir is suspended for Lyon, and Tanguy Ndombele is questionable, so you’ll want to check the latest injury reports before locking in your bets. We have your soccer betting preview from the first leg of this round of 16 matchup.

Lyon vs Barcelona 2019 Champions League Odds & Pick

🏟️ Historic night ahead here? ℹ️ Barcelona are unbeaten against Lyon… #UCL pic.twitter.com/9n3FigzHcK

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) 19 de febrero de 2019

When: Tuesday, February 19, 2019, 3:00pm ET Where: Groupama Stadium, Lyon TV: UniMas Radio: None Live Stream: WatchESPN Soccer Odds: Barcelona -135 / Lyon +360 / Draw +280

Why should you bet on Lyon?

Lyon took down Manchester City in Champions League group play, so they are not intimidated by the elite clubs in European soccer. They also knocked off Paris St-Germain, giving PSG their first Ligue 1 loss of the season. I expect to see a conservative game plan out of Lyon at home, given the way they have been able to deliver results on the road. Their primary goal here will be a clean sheet, with any offensive action coming as a bonus. Barcelona has only had four goals in their last four matches overall, and two of them have come from the penalty spot courtesy of Lionel Messi. Playing without Fekir, the team captain who has scored 11 goals in 27 matches on the year, will be an additional hurdle. If you like Lyon, you see them going into a defensive shell and putting one past Barcelona in a counterattack when Barcelona pushes up too far forward.

Why should you put your money on Barcelona?

Barcelona has the more vibrant offense of the two teams — if they can break through. They are also looking to get to the Copa del Rey finals and are on top of the table in La Liga. Lionel Messi and the rest of the squad are favorites to advance and win the Champions League outright — although they ended up in a scoreless draw against Atletico Bilbao. They need to put up at least one road goal here and hopefully two so that they can easily take care of business in the second leg at home. Barcelona has never lost to Lyon, winning four of six matches against Lyon, all in Champions League play. Lyon has never posted a clean sheet against Barcelona. However, they have not met since 2009, when Barcelona won 6-3 on aggregate in the round of 16. However, they both come in undefeated in group play, the first time that two unbeaten Champions League teams have met in the knockout rounds since Manchester United met Barcelona in the finals 11 years ago. The fact that Lyon is even here is something of an anomaly, as they have not made it to the knockout round in seven years. Barcelona is here for the 15th straight year, second only to Real Madrid (22).

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

Lyon has drawn in five straight Champions League games, and if they draw again, that would match a record held by AEK Athens (2002-03) and Rangers (2005-06). Lyon only averages 44% possession in Champions League play this year, which is the lowest ratio of the 16 teams in the knockout round. Given Lyon’s likely conservative approach here, though, I see them holding things close to the vest and getting just what they need to head to Barcelona with the aggregate score tied. I’m predicting a 1-1 draw.