Given that this is one of the strongest groups it is a norm to have a strong match in each round. Now, it’s a duel between teams that didn’t make a name for them in the first round and have achieved below average results, so Wolfsburg was heavily defeated, while Lille only a draw at home. After that they played three league rounds where Wolfsburg made better results, but on the last weekend both teams won. Until now these two teams haven’t faced each other in European competition.
Wolfsburg didn’t start the season well, but it seems that are getting better as they have managed to win two important matches in the championship after the debacle in the first round of the Europa League when they lost to Everton by 4-1. They lost one match in-between the aforementioned two victories in the Bundesliga and that was the away match in Berlin, so we can say with confidence that away matches are a big problem for now, which only one point won outside their stadium proves. Now are the hosts and want to improve the impression winning the first points that would keep them in the game for a place in the knockout phase.
Coach Hecking constantly rotates the team and tries to rest certain players, but he has problems with injuries. What is certain is that all the best will not play this match, because Olic, de Bruyne and S. Jung are questionable, while the good news is that Perisic has recovered, who played the whole match when they defeated Werder by 2-1.
Probable lineups VfL Wolfsburg: Benaglio – Vierinha, Naldo, Klose, Rodriguez – Junior Malanda, Guilavogui – D. Caligiuri, Perisic, Hunt – Bendtner
Lille have much better results, especially when it comes to the championships where are now third and don’t log for too much behind the leader. They were defeated only once, two rounds ago in the away match against Nice, when they received one out of a two goals in total in the championship, by which, of course, are the best in the league. Their problem is to score goals and their current average is less than one goal per match. They also played 1-1 in the first round of the Europa League with Russia’s Krasnodar at home. It must be said that Lille had started competing in the Champions League, but were eliminated in the play-off by Porto when they haven’t scored a single goal in those two matches.
They defeated Bastia on Saturday by minimal 1-0. Coach Girard too rotates the team due to the large number of matches, while captain Mavuba missed the last two of them and will probably not play this one. It is expected to play with just one classic striker and that is Origi, who is the only one who so far scored twice.
Probable lineups Lille: J. Enyeama – Sidibe, Kjaer, Basa, Souare – Delaplace, Gueye – Mendes, Balmont, Lopes – Origi
It is evident that Wolfsburg have improved, besides, they were never bad at home. Lille plays tough, but that makes results only against weaker teams, while here they can hardly resist, so we expect a victory of the hosts.
Pick: Wolfsburg (home win)
Stake: 9/10
Odds: 1.75 at betvictor (down to 1.65 can be played)
