Lyon vs Arsenal Women: Preview, prediction & lineups

After last Sunday's first leg in North London, it is all the play for in France. Six days ago, it was Lyon who struck first in North London; Jule Brand cutting inside, dancing past Kim Little and lashing into the bottom corner. However, Arsenal got back on level terms on the hour mark when Mariona Caldentey's low driven free-kick somehow made its way past Christiane Endler; a massive error by the Chilean.

Then, seven minutes from time, Lindsey Heaps' overhit back pass was picked up by Olivia Smith who rounded the goalkeeper and finished cooly. Thus, 2-1 it finished to the holders, so can they now finish the job in Décines-Charpieu?

A year ago, Arsenal also beat Lyon at this stage, albeit actually doing so after a 2-1 defeat at home, followed by a famous 4-1 win in France. Following that, Renée Slegers' side massively upset the odds to defeat Barça Femení in Lisbon, thereby collecting their second European title. With the Catalan giants overwhelming favourites to overcome Bayern Munich in the semi-final this weekend, a rematch could be on the cards at the Ullevål in Oslo in three weeks time.

Ahead of this second leg, Slegers' team smashed the WSL's bottom side Leicester City 7-0 on Wednesday. Swedish duo Smilla Holmberg and Stina Blackstenius both bagging braces. This extends the Gunners' unbeaten streak in the league and Champions League to 17 matches, knowing that, should they continue that here, they'll be heading to another European final later this month.

Having said that, one can never write off Olympique Lyonnais Féminin. Les Fenottes are the record eight-times winners of this tournament, appearing in 11 finals since 2010, albeit they have only featured in two of the last five, which for Lyon is a major failure. Well, Jonatan Giráldez's team did finish second in the league phase, including beating Arsenal in Borehamwood in October, so will believe they can go all the way this time round.

Last Sunday's first leg was only Lyon's second defeat in any competition this season. Despite only drawing 1-1 with Nantes on Wednesday, OL Lyonnes are 12 points clear at the top of the Première Ligue, albeit France's top-flight title is decided by post-season play-offs. In the Champions League quarters, Lyon were defeated by a solitary goal at the Volkswagen Arena by Wolfsburg, only to roar back and claim a 4-0 victory after extra time to oust die Weißgrünen, hoping for a sense of déjà vu.

Arsenal have the one-goal advantage but Lyon boast home advantage, making this second leg so tough to call. Thus, who will be heading to Norway for the Champions League Final?

Lyon vs Arsenal: Preview, Prediction & Lineups

What time does Lyon vs Arsenal kick off?

Lyon vs Arsenal kicks off on Saturday 2 May at 14:00 (BST).

• When is kick off? Saturday 2 April
• What time is kick off? 14:00 (BST)
• Where is it played? Parc Olympique Lyonnais
• Referee: Maria Sole Ferrieri Caputi (Italy).

Lyon vs Arsenal's Champions League results so far

Lyon vs Arsenal head-to-head record

• Lyon Wins: 7. Draws: 1. Arsenal Wins: 3.

Lyon vs Arsenal previous six meetings

How to watch Lyon vs Arsenal

Lyon team news

Jonatan Giráldez changed all ten outfielders for the mid-week trip to Stade Marcel-Saupin, underlining that full focus is on this clash. Melchie Dumornay, who scored twice at Meadow Park on matchday one, could return to midfield following injury. If she is not deemed ready to do so, USWNT trio Lindsey Heaps, Korbin Shrader and Lily Yohannes will keep their places.

35 year old Wendie Renard continues to captain the club she joined two decades ago, winning 39 major honours to date, including 18 league titles and eight Champions Leagues. In attack, Lyon have an abundance of players from which to choose.

First leg scorer Jule Brand and Kadidiatou Diani got the nod out-wide to support the competition's all-time top-scorer Ada Hegerberg. Should Giráldez go with those three again, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Vicki Bècho and Tabitha Chawinga are not bad players to have in reserve.

Predicted Lyon lineup vs Arsenal: Endler; Lawrence, Renard, Engen, Svava; Heaps, Shrader, Yohannes; Diani, Hegerberg, Brand.

Arsenal team news

Similarly, Renée Slegers made six changes for Wednesday's demolition of Leicester, but could revert back to the first leg XI. Kyra Cooney-Cross is in Australia while Beth Mead has missed the last two matches, both due to personal reasons, while Chloe Kelly is an injury doubt.

Leah Williamson's minutes are being carefully managed, scoring a header off the bench in mid-week, but will start here. Last season's final hero Stina Blackstenius will once again lead the line, with Alessia Russo in support; she is the Champions League's joint-top-scorer this season with eight goals.

Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Lyon: van Domselaar; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Little, Caldentey; Smith, Foord, Blackstenius, Russo.

Lyon vs Arsenal score prediction

As already noted, both teams will fancy their chances of going through. Lyon have won ten of their last 11 Champions League home games, scoring at least thrice in nine of them, their sole defeat during this period though coming in last season's semi-final second leg against Arsenal.

Meantime, the Gunners have progressed through 18 of 19 Champions League ties when claiming victory in the first leg, the sole exception coming 17 years ago against Umeå. Arsenal have only failed to score in two of their last 23 UEFA competition matches, so almost certainly add to their aggregate total, meaning it will just depend how many les Fenottes can bag up the other end.

Thus, this clash at Parc Olympique Lyonnais is not to be missed, and we're backing Arsenal to, just about, get the job done and reach the Champions League Final.

Prediction: Lyon 2-2 Arsenal

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