Lyon Women and Juventus Women will go head-to-head on the final matchday of the Women's Champions League group stage with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
The reigning European champions are currently sat in second spot, while Juventus are two points adrift in third position.
Match preview
© Reuters
Lyon's defence of their Champions League title got off to a concerning start when they were thrashed 5-1 at home by Arsenal, before they had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Juventus on matchday two.
They finally got their European campaign up and running when they eased to consecutive victories against Zurich by a combined 7-0 scoreline.
Despite claiming two comfortable wins over the Swiss outfit, Lyon would have given up second place if they had dropped points against Arsenal last week, but fortunately for Sonia Bompastor's side, a Frida Maanum own goal was enough to secure a narrow 1-0 victory.
The task is now simple, if they avoid defeat against Juventus then they will continue the defence of their European crown, and they could even finish in top spot if they better Arsenal's result against Zurich.
Although they have won four of their last five home matches in all competitions, their most recent home game ended in a 1-0 league defeat to their title rivals Paris Saint-Germain, and they will be determined to avoid a similar result on Wednesday.
© Reuters
Meanwhile, Juventus have only won two games in the group stage, and both of those victories took place against Zurich, who have failed to pick up a point in their five group matches.
While Juventus would have wanted to pick up at least one more win, they have still proven to be a tough team to beat in the Champions League this season.
After they secured a victory over Zurich in their group opener, they played out 1-1 draws against Lyon and Arsenal, before they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by the Gunners on matchday four.
In their most recent outing, Joe Montemurro's side cruised to a commanding 5-0 win over Zurich thanks to four goals from Cristiana Girelli and a Lineth Beerensteyn effort.
Juventus have won three of their last four away matches in all competitions, and another victory on Wednesday would secure them a place in the quarter-finals.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- D
- D
- L
- W
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
The hosts are unable to call upon the services of Sara Dabritz, Ellie Carpenter, Griedge Mbock, Ada Hegerberg and Catarina Macario due to injury issues.
After coming off the bench at half time against Arsenal, Amadine Henry could be brought into the starting lineup to appear in a midfield three alongside Damaris Egurolla and Lindsey Horan.
Melvine Malard has top-scored for Lyon in the Champions League this season with four goals, and she will have the chance to add to that tally when she features in the forward line on Wednesday.
As for the visitors, Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir and Amanda Nilden are both expected to miss out through injury.
Julia Grosso dropped down to the bench for the 5-0 victory over Zurich, but the midfielder is expected to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday.
Girelli has scored 13 goals in all competitions this season, and she will want to continue her impressive goalscoring form when she leads the line against Lyon.
Lyon Women possible starting lineup:
Endler; Sombath, Gilles, Renard, Morroni; Henry, Egurolla, Horan; Cascarino, Bacha, Malard
Juventus Women possible starting lineup:
Peyraud-Magnin; Lenzini, Sembrant, Salvai, Boattin; Junge Pedersen, Grosso; Bonansea, Caruso, Beerensteyn; Girelli
We say: Lyon Women 2-1 Juventus Women
Although we expect the two sides to be involved in a close-fought contest, we think that Lyon will draw upon their experience as European champions to claim a narrow victory that would secure them a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
