Lyon v Real Madrid Preview

Lyon v Real Madrid PreviewStan James PricesLyon????..6/4Draw????11/5Real Madrid.?..8/5For the football purists amongst you this is probably the best game in the Champions League tonight. Two giants of the game, both with their beady eyes on the Trophy, and it promises to be a cracker. Lyon go into the game in arguably the best form. They are top of the French League, having won five and drawn one. They have won all three at home as well, but when you delve a bit deeper Lyon haven't exactly set the place alight. In fact their good start is more a reflection of the odd bit of good fortune than unstoppable form. But Gerard Houllier's men will fancy their chances and at 6/4 it's a reasonable bet. They have an almost clear bill of health with only Cris at the back doubtful.Real Madrid however have had a patchy start to their La Liga campaign, winning their opener against Cadiz, but then suffering a shock 2-3 loss at home to Celta Vigo, when they should have buried them. The Achilles Heel with Real has always been their defence and once again Celta exposed them at the back. Lyon will also aim to do just that. The other problem for the Galacticos is their injury crisis. There'll be no Zinedine Zidane, no Becks, and possibly no Raul and these omissions will obviously effect them. But they do have a key player in the Brazilian sensation Robinho. He looked different class against Celta Vigo and you just know that there will be great things from him. He's 5/1 to score first and his partner up front Julio Baptista is 6's. Baptista looked very useful as well in that game and he hit on a very good point when he said that things will be different against an attack minded Lyon side tonight. "That means we are going to find more space as we are not going to be against eight or nine players behind the ball all of the time."This then could be a goal feast in fact. Reading between the lines you suspect that both managers will be going all out for victory. A 2-2 draw would not be out of the question given the goalscoring talent on show and at 16/1 it's very good value. Lyon have proven scorers in Carew (5/1), Fred (11/2) and Wiltord (11/2) and everything seems set up for a lively encounter with plenty of space for players to weave their magic. Over 2 goals is 10/11, but a better option might be between 4 and 6 goals at 12/5. Everything does suggest the net will be hit a few times tonight.It will be an intriuging match and one that could define the Group. I like the look of Real Madrid though at 8/5 because I suspect Lyon's form is a bit flattering and Real Madrid will enjoy the space they'll get on the break?.and watch that man Robinho. It'll worth tuning in just to see him. The game is being given top slot on SSP2 at 19.45pm