Benfica vs Lyon UCL Matchday 3 Odds, Picks & Betting Preview
- Portuguese giants Benfica (+106) are slight favorites entering their Matchday 3 showdown with French side Lyon (+230)
- It’s a must-win for Wednesday’s hosts, who have had a tidy two-week domestic break to reflect on a tough start in the Champions League
- Lyon, meanwhile, are winless in their last five Ligue 1 matches but in full control of their destiny in Group G action
It’s been a tale of two very different seasons for Benfica and Lyon ahead of their Matchday 3 clash in Champions League action at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz on Wednesday.
Benfica have been stacking wins in the Portuguese league, where they sit a single point off the top of the table and remain title favorites; a pair of ugly losses, however, have cast them four points adrift in Group G.
Lyon, to the contrary, are off to a quality start in continental play — four points from two matches have them co-leaders of the group — but floundering 12 points back of leaders PSG and closer to the relegation zone than European qualification spots in Ligue 1.
Benfica vs. Lyon Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benfica | -0.5 (+106) | +106 | O 2.5 (-105) |
| Lyon | +0.5 (-122) | +230 | U 2.5 (-111) |
| Draw | N/A | +240 | N/A |
*Odds taken 10/17/19
This is a Benfica squad that has the talent, but is still dealing with some injury issues: A BOLA reported that Andre Almeida (muscle strain), Chiquinho (adductor), Conti (muscle strain) and Rafa (tendinitis) are all expected to miss the weekend’s cup game vs. Cova Piedade.
Benfica vs. Lyon Stats
| 0-0-2 | UCL Record (2019-20) | 1-1-0 |
| 6-0-1 | Domestic League Record (2019-20) | 6-2-0 |
| W D D W L | Last 5 | W W D W W |
| 3rd, Group H | 2018-19 UCL Finish | Semifinalists |
| 4th | 2018-19 Domestic League Finish | 1st |
| Pizzi (6) | Current Top Scorer | Moussa Dembele (6) |
| 0-2-0 | H2H Record | 0-2-0 |
Lyon is fresh off a strong 2-0 win at RB Leipzig, which showcased their ability to win away from home.
As much as Rudi Garcia’s side has struggled domestically, it’s still a squad with talent: Former Celtic star Moussa Dembele has been filling the net to start the season, while ex-Manchester United man Memphis Depay has bagged double-digit goals in each of the last two campaigns for the club.
Pick: Lyon +0.5 (-122)
The visitors showed their ability to get an away result at Leipzig against the same Red Bull team that dumped Benfica 2-1 in Portugal. Expect the French squad to get a result of some kind in Portugal on Wednesday.
Pick: Over 2.5 (-105)
Benfica’s defensive woes have resulted in Bruno Lage’s side conceding five times in the first two matches of the Champions League campaign, with both going over. Given Lyon’s lethal attacking options, it’s difficult to see Benfica holding a clean sheet.
Carlos Verde is a sports media professional, with writing featured in a number of outlets, including the Epoch Times, Ottawa Life Magazine and Where is Football. He also served as a broadcast commentator for the United Soccer League's Ottawa Fury FC.
