Tottenham v Lyon Europa League Prediction 21st February 2013

Spurs v Lyon Betting Preview
The North London side have failed to win on their two previous visits to France, but a draw would see them reach the last sixteen of the Europa League. Spurs took a narrow 2-1 win over Lyon from the first match at White Hart Lane a week ago, with Gareth Bale stealing the show with two brilliant strikes. The French outfit though are looking a strong side at the moment, challenging for the French title and are on a good winning streak at home in Europe. Can Spurs hang on to their advantage?

Spurs v Lyon Betting Odds at online bookmaker Bet365
Lyon 11/10, Spurs 12/5, Draw 12/5

Spurs v Lyon Recommended Bet:
So Tottenham have put themselves in a decent position from the first leg, but now they will have to produce a very good ninety minutes to edge their way to the round of sixteen. Lyon have that precious away goal and the margins are going to be narrow here. The last time that they met Lyon, which was back in the 1967/68 European Cup Winners Cup, they lost in France and exited the tournament on away goals. It could be a similar story with just one goal in it. Spurs have only picked up that defeat and one other draw in their two matches played in France before. However, they are on a four match undefeated streak away from home in Europe and that should put them in with a good fighting chance. Their last three away games in a row have all been draws and a continuance of that trend would see them move through.

Spurs could use a little extra help in the goalscoring department, as Gareth Bale seems to be doing everything single handedly at the moment. They have had a good rest as they didn’t play a domestic match on the weekend. This is the fourth time that Tottenham have made it through to this stage of the UEFA Cup since the group stages came into effect. They missed out on the round of sixteen last time they were here though back in the 2008/09 season. Still, Spurs have lost just two matches in their last 19 in all competitions and look a well balanced, strong side. The worry for them is that their lack of scoring power may come back to haunt them. They will be going up a Lyon side who are on a four match winning streak at home in Europe. With them going strongly in the Ligue 1 title race in France, Spurs will be in for a tough night.

Lyon are a very strong, experienced European side. They have rattled off four wins in a row at home, but yet they haven’t been great on home soil against English side. Lyon have faced English sides 15 times before and have only managed one win from seven home matches (W1 D5 L1). So they haven’t lost much either at home, and that stat would point towards a draw in this one, because they looked pretty evenly matched from the first leg. They do have come out and look for goals though, but again a look at history, and you will see that Lyon have not beaten an English side at home since the last time that Spurs went there over 46 years ago. Lyon are coming in off the back of confidence boosting 4-0 away win in the French League on the weekend. They could well edge this on the night.

Form
Lyon DWLLLW, Spurs DLDWWW

Stat Attack
Spurs have lost just two of their last 19 matches
Lyon haven’t beaten an English side on home soil for 46 years
Spurs have failed to win on their previous two visits to France
Lyon are on a four match winning streak at home in Europe

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