Lyon vs. FC Porto 10:30 PM CET Monday July 27, 2009
by Jason Green of Predictem.com
On Monday night Lyon takes on FC Porto in Group D of the Peace Cup. In their first game Lyon held a 1-0 lead, as they scored early in the second half, but Besiktas scored to knot the game at 1-1, which was the final score. This is the first game in the competition for FC Porto. Lyon did not use all of their first strong players against Besiktas and in this game and GK Hugo Lloris, defender Cris and former Porto forward Lisandro Lopez may be in the starting lineup for this match.
Both Lisandro Lopez and Aly Cissokho played for FC Porto last season and now play for Lyon. It will be interesting to see how they fare against their old club. Lyon has not won in the pre-season yet and they had many chances to do so in the first game against Besiktas. Lyon will play their full squad in this match, as if they lose their chances of winning the Peace Cup may be up in smoke.
FC Porto is a very different team then they were last season with their loss of the 2 players to Lyon, Paulo Assuncao to Atletico Madrid, and solid MF Ibson to Spartak Moscow. However, the FC Porto team that gave Manchester United all they could handle in the Champions League last season signed Fernando Belluschi from Olympiakos, Alvaro Pereira from Cluj, and Diego Valeri, a playmaker from Lanus. Still, what they signed was not nearly the talent level that they gave up.
Lyon is the slight favorite in this match posted at 2.30 with FC Porto at 2.90 with a draw at 3.15.
Lyon Recent Form:
7/25/09 Lyon 1 Besiktas 1 (Peace Cup)
7/18/09 Lyon 2 Racing Club de Lens (Friendly)
7/11/09 Lyon 2 Nice 2 (Friendly)
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FC Porto Recent Form:
7/23/09 FC Porto 1 Dinamo Bucharest 0 (Friendly)
7/18/09 FC Porto 3 Monaco 0 (Friendly)
7/15/09 FC Porto 3 Leixoes 1 (Friendly)
7/11/09 FC Porto 3 Tourizense 0 (Friendly)
Lyon comes into the match with no concerns on the injury front, but they may change their squad up after the draw in their last match. Lisandro Lopez is a little banged up, but should make his debut for Lyon in this match.
FC Porto may take the Lyon approach to their first game and rest some of the better players to focus on their second game against Besiktas.
A lot of attention will be paid to the FC Porto offense, as Radamel Falcao looks to replace the departed Lopez while 21-year-old Orlando Sa has tons of promise and will take over in the long term. Both may see action in this match.
The former FC Porto players of Aly Cissokho and Lisandro Lopez will want to play well against their old team and Cissokho will have a lot of pressure, as he takes over for Karim Benzema who signed a big contract with Real Madrid in the off-season.
Lyon will have to mark FC Porto forward Hulk in this game, as the Brazilian forward earned man of the match in Porto’s first two pre-season matches. He has strength and plays at a fast pace and is a legit goal scoring threat.
The Lyon defense will have to play well, as FC Porto’s offense has looked impressive in the pre-season.
Lyon is the slight favorite in this match because of the players that FC Porto have recently lost. Now two of those players are on Lyon and have to give the French side some offensive chances in this match.
Jason’s Pick: Lyon may play a more attacking game then they did in the first game, as they need a win to stay alive in this competition. I see them playing a good game and for the young forwards of FC Porto to be silent. I think Lyon will win by a 2-0 or 2-1 score.
