Bayern Munich v Lyon Preview & Predictions Champions League Wednesday 19/08/2020

2019-20 Champions League semi-final preview:  Bayern Munich v Lyon – Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon – August 19, 2020 – 20:00 hrs BST

Bayern Munich v Lyon Preview

Rudi Garcia's Olympic Lyonnaise have a staggering task ahead of them when they run into a rampant Bayern Munich in their first-ever Champions League semi-finals at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon on August 19, Wednesday.

Bayern Munich v Lyon Match Centre

Hansi Flick's Bayern have just come out of a demolition of La Liga giants Barcelona on the back of some ruthless display of attacking football with Thomas Muller, Ivan Perisic, Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich, Robert Lewandowski and even Philippe Coutinho (ironically on loan from Barca) all finding the target in an 8-2 rout.

On the other hand, Lyon upstaged favourites Manchester City 1-3 with a late double strike from substitute Moussa Dembele and put paid to Pep Guardiola's European ambitions.

As for Bayern team news, centre-back Jerome Boateng will probably man things at the back with David Alaba in a central defensive role along with the young Canadian Jonathan Davies who was so impressive against Barcelona.

Benjamin Pavard’s ongoing absence with an ankle injury means that Joshua Kimmich will continue on the right of a back four.

Kingsley Coman having recovered from his injuries could replace Ivan Perisic on the left.

The usual suspects of the Bayern attack will of course be their record goal scorer Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and Serge Gnarby.

Thiago Alcantara who's been linked to a move away from the Bundesliga giants should join Leon Goretzka in the mid-field, with Javi Martinez on the bench.

Rudi Garcia could very well include Dembele in Lyon's starting XI after his late cameo against Manchester City. Otherwise, Garcia fortunately has no injuries to deal with.

Spurred by the injustice of having to finish seventh in Ligue 1 following the early termination of the 2019/20 French top-flight season back in April, Lyon took to their Champions League fixtures with a vengeance.

By knocking out European giants Juventus and Manchester City, Lyon have come out as a dangerous outfit who cannot be taken lightly by any means.

However, to take on a side that has hammered in 39 goals from their 9 outings in the competition and remained unbeaten in 19 games, will be no mean task.

The last thing one can expect is a professional side like Bayern to be complacent especially against an outfit as unpredictable as Lyon.

While the Bundesliga giants will probably be expected to be all over their opponents on Wednesday, they will be wary of the hit-on-the-breaks tactics adopted by Lyon – something that has got the side so far into the tournament.

Counter-attacking specialists like Maxwel Cornet, Memphis Depay and Dembele have fine-tuned this aspect of the game much to the discomfiture of their rivals in the competition so far.

The bet is on Bayern Munich to take Wednesday night's game 3-1 at a correct score odds of 9/1 (Bwin). Bwin odds subject to change and correct as of 19/08/2020.

Other popular odds

• Bayern to win: 1/4
• Lyon to win: Between 12/1 & 13/1
• Draw after 90 mins: 7/1
• Over 2.5 goals: 4/11

Other Bwin odds

• Bayern to win & Both Teams to score: 27/20
• Bayern to win & over 3.5 goals: 21/20

Bwin odds subject to change and correct as of 19/08/2020.

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