Olympique Lyonnais vs Juventus 27/02/20

27 February 2020

Olympique Lyonnais and Juventus will face off at the Groupama Stadium in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League (CL) last-16 tie.

Lyon’s road to their second successive CL round-of-16 appearance has seen them win just two group stage matches (D2, L2), which ultimately proved enough for them to finish second in Group G, one point above third-placed Benfica. Interestingly, two of Lyon’s three group stage home fixtures saw them lose the first-half only to secure a draw in the second 45 minutes, with the lone exception of a 3-1 triumph over Benfica. Notably, six of their last eight CL home games have ended in a stalemate (W1, L1), with four of their previous five such draws yielding the same 2-2 scoreline. Yet, six of Les Gones’ last seven CL last-16 ties have proved fatal for the French side, marking their competition’s elimination. Also, they’ve suffered six defeats in their previous nine European clashes against the Italian opposition (W1, D2).

Meanwhile, the visitors secured five consecutive group stage wins following a 2-2 away draw with Atletico Madrid in the competition’s curtain-raiser to finish top of Group D and seal their sixth successive CL knockout stage berth. Free-scoring Juventus have bagged over 1.5 match goals in all but one of their CL matches this season, with the majority (75%) of the 12 CL goals scored coming in the second half. The Bianconeri have overseen huge success in their last eight European fixtures against the Ligue 1 sides (W6, D2). Also, they have won three of four previous competitive H2Hs with Lyon (D1), with each of those successes producing a single-goal margin. But, the current Serie A holders have picked up just two wins in their last five CL road trips (D2, L1), with three of those matches featuring under 2.5 goals.