Lyon vs Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich topped Group F after an exciting encounter in France that ended 3-2 to the visitors, with two goals from Klose and another from Franck Ribery sealing it

Tuesday night’s action in the Champions League proved just how difficult it is to predict games with little riding on them and I don’t imagine it will be any different this evening. Qualification matters have been decided in all four groups contesting tonight’s fixtures and stakes, everywhere, should be kept to a minimum.

Lyon and Bayern Munich, the two class acts in Group F, have already secured their places in the last 16 but top spot is up for grabs in France tonight and I take the German side to prevail. They are in superb form domestically and can continue their fine run of results.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s side, following a slow start to their campaign, have really found their stride in recent weeks and it is now 14 matches unbeaten. The pair drew 1-1 on Matchday 2 in the German capital, when in truth Lyon were the better side, but the French outfit have looked thoroughly unconvincing in the last month or so domestically and Marseille have closed the gap in Ligue 1 to just three points.

Beaten 2-1 at Nantes last time out, Claude Puel’s men are not used to losing having dominated at home for so long and are clearly finding it difficult to resume winning ways. That defeat at Nantes was their third game without win and Puel must do without the suspended duo of Cris and Juninho for the game versus Bayern as well as contend with a host of injury problems.

The supremely talented Karim Benzema should be fit for the hosts, who need only a goalless draw to top the section, but the four-time European Champions are in such irresistible form that they should be able to overcome the loss of Ze Roberto and Lucio to claim at least a share of the spoils and laying the home side looks the way to go.

Klinsmann, so attacking in his philosophy, has seen his men average more than two goals per game in all competitions so far this season and their victory over pacesetters Hoffenheim on Friday evening propelled them level on points with the surprise package in the Bundesliga at the the top of the table. Goals from Philip Lahm and Luca Toni saw them come from behind to grab the win and there isn’t a team in Europe playing with more confidence than Bayern at the moment.

With the prolific Toni and Mirsolav Klose in attack, plus a goal threat throughout the side, it is hard to imagine the visitors not scoring at least once tonight, they’ve scored two or more in their previous six matches, and Lyon look short at just 2.70. Bayern undoubtedly have the ability to win the tie but a score draw would be adequate for them to pip their opponents and that looks the likely outcome.