Champions League team news and prediction: Lyon vs Bayern Munich

When the semi-finals were drawn back in July, people were very quick to notice Bayern Munich could encounter former manager Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team in the semi-finals. It was a match everyone was looking forward to seeing. Then Lyon showed up and spoiled the party. After dumping Juventus out in the round of 16 stage, the French side, despite finishing seventh in Ligue 1, beat City last week to ensure an all-French and German last four.

With a place in the 2019/20 Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain at stake when these two sides face off on Wednesday night, we have everything you need to know in one place, including where and when the match will take place, team news, probable XIs and the predicted scoreline.

When is kick off?
Wednesday 19th August, 20:00 GMT
Where is the match?
Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon (Portugal)
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 1 / BT Sport Extra 1 / BT Sport Ultimate

How they qualifed

Lyon pulled off a shock to dump Juventus out of the Champions League over two legs in the round of 16 but went one further in the quarter-finals with a 3-1 win against Manchester City last week. Lyon made City pay for poor defending and also benefitted from Pep Guardiola's questionable tactics. Maxwel Cornet continued his fine record against City with the opener before substitute Moussa Dembele scored twice late on to secure the win.

Bayern were expected to beat Barcelona handedly but no one expected the 8-2 scoreline. The Bundesliga giants, who looked shaky at the back themselves at times, tore Barcelona to pieces at will. It was a humilating night for Barcelona, made worse when their own player, Philippe Coutinho, came off the bench for Bayern and scored twice late on. Muller helped himself to a couple, while Lewandowski continue his streak of scoring in every single Champions League game this season. Ivan Perisic, Joshua Kimmich and Serge Gnabry were also in on the act.

Team News

Rudi Garcia has a fairly settled XI heading into Wednesday's semi-final but does have one big decision on his hands: whether to recall Moussa Dembele for Kolo Toko Ekambi. The latter has surprisingly started Lyon's last two Champions League matches but Dembele scored twice from the bench against City last time out. Elsewhere in the team, 20-year-old Maxence Caqueret has really taken his opportunity in central midfield with both hands, forcing Thiago Mendes to the sidelines.

It would be a surprise if Hansi Flick rings the changes after demolishing Barcelona 8-2 in the quarter-finals but the Bayern Munich head coach does at least have options. Benjamin Pavard is back in training and his availabilty means Joshua Kimmich can return to central midfield if required, though that would push Leon Goretzka to the bench. Kingsley Coman is an option to replace Ivan Perisic on the flank, with Coutinho also pushing for a recall after his impact from the bench against parent side Barcelona. No changes are, however, expected. Summer signing Leroy Sane is ineligible until 2020/21.

Probable XIs

Lyon (352): Lopes; Denayer, Marcelo, Marcal; Dubois, Caqueret, Guimaraes, Aouar, Cornet; Ekambi, Depay

Bayern Munich (4231): Neuer; Kimmich, Boateng, Alaba, Davies; Gnabry, Muller, Perisic; Lewandowski

Key Battle: Memphis Depay vs Serge Gnabry

Had the Champions League completed on schedule earlier this year then Lyon would have been without captain Memephis Depay. Lockdown allowed the Netherlands international to return to full fitness following a serious knee injury suffered in December. Lyon are all the better for Memphis in the side and he will be key to their chances of reaching their first ever European final. The 26-year-old has six goals in seven Champions League appearances.

While Robert Lewandowski will be in the opposite corner for Bayern, it will be more interesting to see how Serge Gnabry's performance stacks up against Memphis'. Both suffered disappointing Premier League careers but have built immense reputations around the continent. Gnabry has scored seven goals in eight Champions League appearances this season, though six of those were scored in London.

Prediction: Lyon 1-3 Bayern Munich