Fiorentina Tries to keep flimsy Champions League bid alive against Lyon

Champions League betting in Group F comes down to a moment of truth for Fiorentina when they prepare to host Olympique Lyonnais in Florence on Tuesday. Fiorentina got no favours on match day 4 when FC Bayern Munich scraped by with the 1:1 draw on a late equalizer by Tim Borowski as it left the Italians five points shy of the joint leaders in Group F. However, Fiorentina failed to take the initiative at home against the Bundesliga side and now with their backs against the wall, they will have to avoid making the same mistake twice.

As the French champion prepare to make the trek to Florence, sports bettors know they are ideally placed for advancement in to the knock out stages. Olympique Lyonnais sits at top of Group F – level on points with Bayern Munich, separated by a slightly better goal differential. They are one point shy of securing advancement with two fixtures left in Group action. Surprisingly though, the bookies at BetUS Sportsbook have the French slightly disadvantaged in the Champions League market.

Soccer Betting Line:

Fiorentina pk -150 +135 2 O -145 U +125 Draw +225

Olympique Lyonnais pk +130 +175 2 O -145 U +125 Draw +225

Match Time: 02:45 P.M. Eastern Time Tuesday November 25, 2008

Venue: Artemio Franchi - Florence - Italy

Soccer Betting Analysis:

Fiorentina +135: The Italians are sitting in third place in Group F with three points and the faintest of chances to advance in to the knockout stage. Yet somehow, the bookies feel the Italians have a chance to turnaround their campaign by giving them the favourite nod against the top of the table club, the Lyonnais. I cannot see why? In the championships this season they have 0-3-1; scoring only three goals and conceding six.

Olympique Lyonnais +175: The French champions are enjoying good form in the championships and they have much to be optimistic about as they make the trip to Florence. They lead the table with eight points, having gone 2-2-0. They have not been shy in scoring, contributing for ten goals but they have also conceded six. Nevertheless, they need one point to secure advancement and given that they are much closer than Fiorentina to the last 16, they have the incentive to take the win on Tuesday.

Soccer Betting Verdict: The Italians began their campaign with back-to-back draws before they lost to Bayern. In their second try against Bayern, they had their lead snatched when Borowski levelled the score at one each. Consistently, they have not taken the initiative and after failing to seize the opportunity at home against Bayern on match day four I cannot help but think that they have already sealed their fate. The Lyonnais have been impressive and I expect they will continue their undefeated run on Tuesday. They need one point so a draw is possible but if the Italians put forward a dispirited effort, the French at +175 would be a better play.

Soccer Free Picks: Olympique Lyonnais +175 | Over 2 -145

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room