Champions League Group B preview: Lyon hope for Schalke slip

Schalke and Lyon have already secured their passage into the Champions League knockout stages, but the winner of Group B is yet to be decided.

Schalke are languishing in 15th place in the German Bundesliga standings – just four points outside the relegation zone – but sit on top of Group B on 10 points, with Lyon just a point adrift on nine.

Because Schalke have superior head-to head goal difference over Lyon, the French side need a victory from their home clash with Hapoel Tel Aviv on Tuesday to have any chance of finishing top.

Additionally, they must hope that Schalke are beaten or draw their clash with Benfica in Portugal.

Lyon are in good form domestically, sitting in sixth place on the Ligue 1 standings after their 2-1 away win over Montpellier on Saturday, just two points behind leaders Lille.

Despite only trailing Lyon by three points heading into the final match, third-placed Benfica cannot overtake the Ligue 1 outfit because of their inferior head-to-head record.

That makes for an enthralling battle for third place in Group B, with a spot in the Europa League on the line for both Benfica (six points) and Hapoel (four points).

With a superior head-to-head record over their Portuguese rivals, Hapoel need to beat Lyon in France and hope that Benfica draw or lose at home to Schalke to secure a berth in the Europa League’s last 32.

But a Benfica victory will automatically eliminate Hapoel, who also have to make history to keep their European campaign alive having never before won a Champions League match away from home.