Manchester United-Lyon: Champions League Preview

Barring a high scoring draw, Lyon will have to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford to advance to the last eight.  

It's unlikely considering United are on a nine-game home winning streak in the Champions League and will equal Juventus’s 10-game win record if they overcome Lyon tonight.

United are more assured at the back this season and have won all three CL home games, scoring seven goals and conceding just one, although I would not be surprised if Lyon scrape a goal tonight.

The French Champions beat Glasgow Rangers at Ibrox 3-0 in front of 75,000 roaring Scots in the final group game to advance to the knock-out stages. They should not be overawed at Old Trafford.

Lyon bristles with young talent in Hatem Ben Arfa and Karim Benzema. Both should test United, as the first leg indicated. Ben Arfa, who has not started the last three games, might get the nod tonight.

Both have been linked to United and Benzema enhanced his reputation with a brilliant left-footed strike in the first leg. He has insisted that he is staying in France.

United had the luxury of resting Anderson, Giggs, Carrick, Rooney, and Ronaldo Saturday against Fulham, and still managed a comfortable 3-0 win.

Reports indicate Giggs will not recover from a calf strain before tonight so Nani might start on the left. The Portuguese international has been impressive recently and is pushing Giggs for the regular starting jersey.

Much has been said about United’s inability to win in Europe since 1999 so there is pressure, especially on the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo, expected at a young age to carry and lead the team.

As I wrote before the first leg, United would probably get one away goal and that should be enough to see them through at Old Trafford.  Don’t bet against Lyon doing the same.

The French champions need one goal to set hearts fluttering.  If they get two, United will need three—such is the beauty of the away goal rule.