Arsenal (W)
- Lyon have the superior European pedigree with eight Champions League titles to Arsenal’s one, but the Gunners made a statement last season when they won 4-1 away from home in this fixture to eventually win the semi-final tie.
- Renée Slegers has maintained the high-pressing, possession-based approach that has brought so much success to this team and they are on another deep European run this season.
- They have endured some mixed form in April, losing to Chelsea in the second leg of the UWCL quarter-final and suffering a surprise FA Cup defeat, but remain top three in the WSL with 38 points from 17 matches.
Olympique Lyonnais (W)
- Lyon, meanwhile, are unbeaten domestically this season and beat Wolfsburg 4-0 in the UWCL last eight after a first-leg defeat in Germany.
- They are a vastly experienced squad with plenty of depth to bounce back from the odd slip-up - and they have a strong record of turning ties around when needed.
Head-to-Head
The last three UWCL ties between these teams have all been end-to-end affairs with clear results.
Key Players
- Melchie Dumornay leads the scoring for the Les Fenottes in this UWCL campaign and she has the pace and creativity to unlock defences, especially on the counter-attack.
- Vicki Bècho and Marie-Antoinette Katoto can offer other outlets, while Wendie Renard remains a captain at the back for the eight-time European champions.
- There will be fireworks in this clash and both Alessia Russo, who leads the UWCL scoring charts and scored a hat-trick against Tottenham, and Dumornay will be decisive.
Betting Insights
- Both sides will have their most talented and fresh players on the pitch for this game with no reported injuries for either side.
- Lyon are the favorites with the bookmakers at 2.44, but Arsenal are not far behind at 2.53.
- The ‘Both teams to score - Yes’ market looks very short at 1.44.
Prediction
Arsenal have the psychological edge from their knockout success over Lyon last season and the home crowd will be behind them, but Lyon are the masters of turning the tide of two-legged ties and will have the last word in this first instalment.
