UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 Preview, Group B: October 20, 2010

Lyon vs. Benfica

Lyon are doing appallingly this season, at least from a domestic prospective. On the other hand, they seem to be on form in the Champion’s League—topping their group with a perfect record so far winning both of their matches. Although, there is the fact that Benfica may well be the strongest competition that Lyon face in the group stages. If it wasn’t for the fact that Schalke are also in the group, then it would be a given that these two sides would progress to the next round. Perhaps a successful run in Europe could help Lyon gain some confidence, although equally the large volume of matches could be exactly what is causing their domestic problems.

Benfica have recently improved in their domestic form, which was pretty bleak at the start of the season and several of the team’s key players have stated their belief that the club can transfer this improving form into this competition. It will be interesting to see how these two team’s season’s progress considering the fact their form has been so inconsistent on the whole. Benfica will have to do something special if they are to win this match convincingly considering the fact that Lyon have a good home record in the European competitions.

Schalke vs. Hapoel

Schalke are one of the many big German sides which just aren’t performing the way that they’re expected to perform. They’re not performing terribly in the Champions League, but this is one match that they definitely need to win when they’re in a group which has some stiff competition. Having beaten Benfica, they have proven that they are still a solid team even if they aren’t doing things the right way in the Bundesliga. The good thing for Schalke is that their two biggest competitors play each other which gives them a brilliant opportunity to either slip into second spot or go level on points bother Lyon and Benfica.

Hapoel have looked outclassed, and they are in a group which is more than likely to continue to show up the team's flaws. The problem is that they don’t really have the same level of experience in European competitions and it shows. They’ve let in five goals from two games, and their key concern is their defence. If they don’t tighten up at the back, there is no way they are going to come away from this match with any points—let alone a win. With any luck, they may actually be able to defend to a reasonable standard and make the match a little bit more interesting.

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