Lyon pulled off a major upset when they beat Manchester City on the Champions League match day 1 this season. The Cityzens have since recovered from that slump to win three of their last three Champions League games, and Pep Guardiola’s side would qualify for the knockout stages should they secure a 4th straight win in this game. Lyon’s win in the reverse of this game means that they can qualify for the next round if they can cause a second defeat of the season on the Premier League leaders. This group is a high scoring group with both if these teams among Europe’s biggest scorers so far. All of the games that have been played in this group has ended in 3 or more goals been scored and Lyon come into this match having lost just one of their last 14 home games, so we could be in for another cracking affair here. Lyon have proved to be a strong team to break down and City could struggle here as well, as they took more than 85 minutes to  get the winning goal against Hoffenheim. Lyon have hosted English opposition nine times previously in European competitions, winning two, drawing six and losing one. Manchester City have visited French clubs twice previously in UEFA competitions and have yet to win, losing one and drawing one. Both of City’s previous games in France contained over 3.5 goals.

Juventus were on the verge of confirming their qualification to the next round of the Champions League as group winners when they hosted and led Manchester United in their last group game. However, the Red Devils came from behind within the last 10 minutes to win the game 2-1. That defeat means they may even not top this group at the end of the day but a win here would keep them ahead of the Red Devils and eliminate Valencia if Manchester United secure a win in their game as well. After losing to Manchester United they have gone on to win two consecutive league games and scored 4 goals while conceding none, they would be looking to build on that in this game. Valencia did beat Young Boys at home but they still need to win this game and beat Manchester United at home in their last game to have the chance to reach the next round, so their most likely position would be 3rd and a place in the Europa League round of 32. Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off in the reverse fixture,yet the Old Ladies ended up 2-0 winners, he would be looking to get back at them with at least a goal in this game.

Manchester United’s win over Juventus in their last game has brought them back within not just qualifying for the knockout stages of the Champions League, but also as group leaders. The Red Devils face a Young Boys side that is winless and have collected just a single point from their group games so far. Jose Mourinho’s men would qualify for the knockout stage if they win this game and Juventus also collect all three points in their home game against Valencia. However, trusting the Red Devils to win at home on a European night is a major gamble as they have not scored a home goal in the Champions League this season. They were also held to a goalless draw at home in the league by Crystal Palace at the weekend. Young Boys are the weeping boys in this group as we enter the 5th Match day. They have collected just one point so far from their home draw against Valencia and have all but exited the competition, so they would be playing this game just for pride. Manchester United have won 1 and drawn 2 of their last 3 European games against Swiss oppositions.

These teams are the most likely to qualify from this group as the top two and they would both be looking to get a better head to head ahead of who would potentially top the group. CSKA Moscow are the only threat these teams have at the moment. Should the Russians win their early kickoff against Viktoria Plzen, then it would have to go to the final match day before we can know who goes through, however, should they drop points, these teams would have reached the knockout stages before kicking a ball here. Real Madrid won the reverse of this fixture 3-0 under fired Julen Lopetegui and would go through as group leaders on head to head if they are on same point with Roma and the Italians fail to match that scoreline in this game. Madrid have improved under Solari, however, they fell to a shocking 3-0 defeat in La Liga at the weekend and would be looking to bounce back here. Based on current form, asking Madrid to win the Champions League for a 5th time in 6 years is a major ask, but we expect them to qualify ahead of Roma by securing at least a point in this game.