Champions League preview and odds: Valencia vs Lyon

Published on: 07/12/2015

Champions League preview and odds: Valencia vs Lyon

December 09, 2015 19:45pm - Mestalla

Champions League

Gary Neville will take charge of Valencia for the first time when they face Lyon in Group H on Wednesday with his side`s Champions League hopes hanging in the balance.

Neville set for high pressure opener

Gary Neville`s official career as a top-flight Coach will begin at the Mestalla on Wednesday in what will be a must-win game for his new Spanish side. Valencia only stand a chance of making the last 16 if they can overcome the challenge of group losers Olympique Lyonnais. Even if they win, they may still drop into the Europa League if KAA Gent beat group winners Zenit in the other game.

The Spanish club have a strong record at home and have lost just one of their last nine European clashes at the Mestalla. That loss came against Zenit (2-3) earlier in the current campaign. They also have a good record against French teams having won nine of their previous ten encounters against Ligue 1 teams.

Lyon playing for pride

If Lyon fail to beat Valencia, they will become the first side to have finished their Champions League group campaign without a win. Having already been confirmed as group losers, there is little else left for Hubert Fourniers men to play for.

They come into this game on the back of a five-game winless run in all competitions, including a 0-2 home defeat to Angers in the French league at the weekend.

Team news

Valencia will be without the injured group of Antonio Barragán, Diego Alves, Shkrodan Mustafi, Álvaro Negredo and Rodrigo, while Rúben Vezo is suspended.

Meanwhile Lyon are still without Gueïda Fofana, Aldo Kalulu, Nabil Fekir and Samuel Umtiti, while Jordan Ferri is banned.

Recent form (All competitions)

Valencia: DWLLD

Lyon: LDLLL

Betting odds and tips

Valencia have lost just twice in their last 33 competitive home games in all competitions. Those defeats came against group leaders Zenit in this season`s Champions League campaign and against Barcelona in La Liga just over a year ago. Lyon have won just one of their last eight games away from home in all competitions. You can back Gary Neville to bag a debut win for Valencia at 4/9 with Bet365.

By Neil Morris

Published on: 07/12/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (07/12/2015 13:57:31) but are subject to change.