Lyon vs. Manchester United Preview

The Champions League starts off again this week, with Manchester United facing French opposition Lyon. Ryan Giggs is set to make his 100th apperance in the competition, making him the 8th player to reach that feat if he's featured in Wednesday's game.

Cristiano Ronaldo has recovered from a virus and is set to start at the Stade Gerland. While Gary Neville and Mikael Silvestre are still with long-term injuries.

Players to look out for

United will have to be on the look out for Lyon forward Karim Benzema and winger Hatem Ben Arfa. Benzema has scored 19 goals this season for Lyon and will pose a threat to United keeper van der Saar.

Hatem Ben Arfa has been compared to the likes of our Ronaldo recently and his trickery has gained rave reviews among pundits.

Pierre Michaud a journalist with French TV station Euronews described his game against Toulouse in mid-January as "out of this world". One word that is often being used in analysis of Ben Arfa's game is "unpredictable" and with Michaud having seen almost every game from the Stade Gerland, he certainly seen it all.

Karim Benzema (left) celebrating with Hatem Ben Afra (right)

United will need to find a way to contain Ben Arfa and cut off the supply to Benzema and Fred. Ben Arfa's dribbling may be difficult for United's defence to deal with but it is nothing they can't handle.

Lyon's defence

Lyon will have be wary of Manchester United's attack. Lyon's defence is a cause of concern; Fabio Grosso and Anthony Reveillere are the weak links and with the likes of Nani, Giggs and Ronaldo looming, they may have some trouble.

Lyon has leaked a goal almost every game and conceded 8 goals in the group stages this season. And with United never been shy of attacking, Lyon will be under pressure to not give the visitors an away goal.

Stats

The only previous meeting between the two clubs was back in the 2004-05 Champions League group stage. The first match ended 2-2 at the Stade Verland and the second a 2-1 win for United.

Lyon hasn’t lost in the last 4 games in the Champions League this season, while United are unbeaten in all six games.

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently the joint top scorer in this year's competition along with Inter's Ibrahimovich both on 5 goals.

Predictions

United are facing Lyon at a good time, even though they are trailing Arsenal in the league by 5 points, they managed to beat them last Saturday 4-0. They will be going into the game full of confidence and with every chance of getting something out of the game.

Meanwhile Lyon lost to Le Mans 1-0 last weekend and will be out to make amends for the defeat. They are top of Ligue 1 by only 1 point in front of Bordeaux.

With Lyon denfence and United's fondness of attacking, both teams will up for a fight. I hugely doubt that either team will sit back and defend.

United will be seeking for an away goal to take back to Old Trafford and Lyon's main strength is their fire power up front with Benzema.