Lyon vs Benfica
Champions League
Date: Tuesday, 5 November 2019
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Parc Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon).
Match Preview
Many supporters of Lyon was quick to voice their discontent when Rudi Garcia was appointed as the club's new manager last month, and frustration only intensified when the French club suffered disappointment at the Estadio da Luz.However, back-to-back victories over Metz and Toulouse in Ligue 1 has relieved immediate pressure on Garcia, the club is now up to eighth in the standings.
While the setback against Benfica will cause an instant change of atmosphere in the stadium Groupama, Garcia will have the confidence to make the team three wins on the bounce.
France will be very happy with how Memphis Depay and Moussa Dembele have returned their touch in front of goal, with the pair after contributing six goals between them in the last three games.
Benfica also had a relatively slow start to the campaign as they suffered defeat to Porto, RB Leipzig and Zenit St Petersburg in early October.
Bruno Lage has pioneered a bit of a revival, however, with five consecutive wins recorded during the period in which Benfica have conceded just one goal.
They now sit five points at the top of the domestic standings, although Lage realized that he and his players will come under fire if they fail to make the knockout stages of the Champions League for the third consecutive season.
Despite the club's top scorer, Pizzi will be hoping to improve in the final third with only three goals came from his last nine appearances in all competitions.
Prediction
Lyon still trying to find their grove but they have at least won consecutive games under new manager Rudi Garcia. They then do it in August.Benfica, meanwhile, have hit their best form. NOS Liga outfit have won their last five games and have not conceded a goal in four of those outings.
Benfica bottom of Group G, but only three points off top spot. They aim to take at least a point from their trip to France on Tuesday.
Prediction: Lyon 1 1 Benfica
