Champions League Group F - Bayern Munich vs. Olympique Lyonnais
by Nila Amerova
In Group F of Champions League competition, FC Steaua Bucuresti, Bayern Munich, Olympique Lyonnais and ACF Fiorentina are battling for a berth in the knock out stages. Bayern Munich leads the Group with three points after they won their opener against FC Steaua, while Fiorentina and Lyon both have one point on drawing in the opening round.
As match day 2 approaches, the foursome prepares for another grim duel. Bayern Munich will try to hold on to its place at the top of the table in Group F but Olympique Lyonnais is a quality side and may have something to say about it.
Here is a look at the soccer betting lines currently available at BetUS Sportsbook.
Soccer Betting Lines:
Home Team: FC Bayern Munich
Spread: -½ -110
Money Line: -110
Total: 2½ O -105 U -115
Total 1½ O -105 U -125
Draw +230
Away Team: Olympique Lyonnais
Spread: +½ -110
Money Line: +320
Total: 2½ O -105 U -115
Team Total 1 O +115 U -145
Draw +230
Match Time: 02:45 PM Eastern Time Tuesday September 30, 2008
FC Bayern Munich (-110) Bayern will hope to go two in a row, but Olympique Lyonnais is no pushover. Bayern is coming off a loss in domestic action so they will need to regroup quickly if they want to continue what has been thus far a good opening to their Champions League bid. Of course, it is early days yet and anything can happen in this Group.
Bayern has had some concerning performances recently – they lost 0:1 to Hanover two days ago and were crushed 2: 5 at home last week by visitors Werder Br. The concern is whether the demoralizing week in Bundesliga action will spill over into CL action.
Olympique Lyonnais (+320) Lyon has looked good in the French League as they won six of their first seven games and drew only one game. The undefeated Lyon fancies its chances in Germany tomorrow. In their opening CL matchup against Fiorentina, they drew 2:2. They followed up CL action with two victories on the home front (French Ligue 1), beating Le Havre 1:0 and Nancy 2:1.
Soccer Betting Verdict: At the top of the table in Group F Bayern will try to maintain is place at the lead with a victory at home as they host the Lyonnais but recent Bundesliga woes makes them questionable. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes his side will come through for the partisan crowd and the bookies back him up with favourite odds on the German side at -110 on the money line.
Most importantly for the Germans is the fact that back on the team are Ribery and Klose. These two are expected to help the team –both at home and in European action.
Lyon, by contrast, is enjoying a great season at home and they will arrive in Munich with a lot of confidence. Drawing in their opener has not eliminated them as viable challengers – they know it and so does Bayern. Although they are tipped at +320 underdog odds, they will take the initiative and go for the win. Their odds will be much improved if Juninho features in the line-up as he can make a huge difference on the pitch. Currently he is training but his status is questionable.
Soccer Free Picks: This should be one of the most interesting matches of Champions League action. The outcome is difficult to predict, as these are two quality sides. Therefore, betting on the draw has value: Draw +230. That being said, things may very well fall in line with the odds—Bayern typically plays well in CL action and with this a home game it is theirs to lose. Bayern -110.
The upset would be huge for Lyon but without Juninho in the line-up taking them at +320 underdog odds is just not a sure play. Better to go with the over 2.5 goals -105 if you cannot decide who will win.
Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room
