Previewing Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League fixtures

After a week off due to international friendlies, the UEFA Champions League is back, with Arsenal v AC Milan and Benfica v Zenit St Petersburg on the matchday schedule for today.

To sum up, Arsenal have one foot out of the Champions League after being trampled by a score of 4-0 versus Milan in the first leg.

Meanwhile, Benfica and Zenit have everything to play for Tuesday, with the Russian giants holding a 3-2 lead entering today’s clash at the Estadio da Luz.

Now then, let’s get right to the betting odds, match previews and predictions for tomorrow’s fixtures, which include APOEL Nicosia v Olympique Lyonnais and FC Barcelona v Bayer Leverkusen.

Betting Odds

APOEL Nicosia (21/10) v Olympique Lyonnais (8/5); Draw (23/10)

FC Barcelona (1/6) v Bayer Leverkusen (20/1); Draw (15/2)

Preview: APOEL Nicosia v Olympique Lyonnais

French Ligue 1 giants Olympique Lyonnais will travel to the Neo GSP Stadium to face 2010-11 Cypriot First Division champions APOEL Nicosia on Wednesday evening, with the French outfit holding a 1-0 aggregate advantage.

Lyon enter the second leg of the tie in 7th place in Ligue 1, and without a win in their last five games in France’s top-tier.

On the other side of the touchline, APOEL are currently in third place in the Cypriot First Division, one point behind leaders AEL Limassol and behind Omonia Nicosia on just goal difference.

Players to Watch

For Lyon, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is the player to watch.

If the French international can keep a clean sheet, Lyon will go through. It’s that simple.

For APOEL, forward Aílton José Almeida, who has bagged three goals in six Champions League appearances in 2011-12, is surely the danger man.

Prediction

Too much Lyon, 2-1 Les Gones.

Preview: FC Barcelona v Bayer Leverkusen

Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen enter Wednesday’s clash with FC Barcelona with a slim chance of advancing after losing the first leg at home 3-1.

Leverkusen are coming off three straight league wins, including an impressive 2-0 win over Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich on March 3.

Since losing to Osasuna on February 11, the Catalans have won four straight games, netting an impressive 13 goals.

Players to Watch

Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi, who has tallied 43 goals and 15 assists in 41 appearances for the Catalans in 2011-12, is the man to watch for Barca.

For Leverkusen, Swiss international striker Eren Derdiyok, the club’s leading scorer in the Champions League in 2011-12, is the player to keep an eye on for the visitors.

Prediction

Barca keep the ball and a clean sheet, 3-0 Catalans.