Besiktas vs. Lyon Preview
Where: Vodafone Arena – Istanbul, Turkey
When: Thursday, April 20, 2017, 3:05 PM ET
Line: Besiktas +143 vs. Lyon +150, draw +235; total 3.0 – view all Europa League lines
TV Broadcast: BT Sport Extra
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Betting on Besiktas (+143)
Besiktas is still in this tie despite giving up two late goals and falling 2-1 in the first leg. Ryan Babel’s crucial away goal means the Turkish leaders can still go through with a 1-0 win.
That scoreline is certainly well within the realm of possibility because of Besiktas’ strong home record. They are undefeated at home in the Turkish league this season, with 10 wins and three draws. They drew all three Champions League home games and won their two home legs during the first two Europa League knockout rounds.
There’s a chance veteran winger Ricardo Quaresma can make his return from injury, which will be a big boost to the Besiktas attack. Quaresma has three goals and three assists in 10 of Besiktas’ European games this season.
Striker Vincent Aboubakar remains suspended, but Cenk Tosun (17 goals, 3 in the Europa League) is certainly capable of leading the line and getting some goals.
Betting on Lyon (+150)
Lyon left it late against Besiktas in the first leg, and are now 90 away minutes from the semifinals. And after fan trouble in the first leg against Besiktas, fans were responsible for Lyon’s game against Bastia over the weekend being abandoned. Lyon sure didn’t complain about it as they get a full week to prepare and rest up for their crucial second leg.
The French side has been pretty up-and-down away from home this season. They have six wins and seven losses in 16 Ligue 1 away games. Meanwhile, they have two wins and two defeats in five European away games on the season.
Lyon will have some defensive concerns to deal with due to the suspension of right-back Rafael and the questionable status of center-back Emmanuel Mammana. Their offense could also miss a couple of big pieces with Memphis Depay cup-tied and Mathieu Valbuena also doubtful due to injury.
Nevertheless, it should be safe to expect some goals in the second leg. Neither Lyon nor Besiktas has kept a clean sheet in their five Europa League games. There have also been over 2.5 goals in nine of Lyon’s last 10 Europa League games.
Writer’s Prediction
Lyon (+235) secure the away draw they need to reach the semifinals.
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