Lyon 2 - 3 Bayern Munich

Lyon v Bayern Munich: Preview

Updated: December 9, 2008, 10:53 AM UK

Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann has vowed to play his strongest possible team against Lyon on Wednesday in a bid to clinch top spot in Champions League Group F.

The two teams, currently tied on 11 points, have sealed qualification for the tournament's knockout stages with a match to spare.

But first place - and with it the likelihood of an easier tie and also a home match in the second leg in the last 16 - is still up for grabs.

It means neither team are taking the showdown at the Stade Gerland lightly.

"The statistics prove it - by playing the second leg at home, the chances of getting through are bigger,'' said Klinsmann, looking ahead to his side's last-16 double-header.

"It is why the best Bayern team will be aligned at Lyon.''

Lyon drew 1-1 with Bayern at the Allianz Arena in the first fixture between the sides so will secure first place with a goalless draw.

If the match finishes 1-1, the teams' head-to-head record will be identical and they will then be separated by goal difference, with Bayern therefore finishing top.

A bigger scoring draw will see Bayern go to the summit because away goals will count double.

Lyon are in poor form domestically, their 2-1 defeat to lowly Nantes on Saturday following up a loss at Paris St Germain and a disappointing draw at home to Valenciennes.

They are still top of the Ligue 1 table by three points, but there is no doubt their displays in Europe have been far more impressive.

"You can't compare a match at Nantes and a match in the Champions League,'' said Les Gones goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

"The teams against us (in Ligue 1) give 200% and most of the time play on the counter-attack.

"It's true it's perhaps easier to prepare for a Champions League match than a championship match. Everyone's focused and wary.''

Lyon coach Claude Puel has selection problems in defence heading into the match.

With Cris suspended, Mathieu Bodmer out with an adductor injury and John Mensah doubtful with a calf complaint, Puel is struggling to find a central-defensive partner for Jean-Alain Boumsong.

If Mensah fails a late fitness test, either left-back Fabio Grosso or one of midfield duo Jeremy Toulalan or Fabio Santos could fill in at the back.

With Francois Clerc and Anthony Reveillere long-term absentees with knee injuries, and 17-year-old Lionel Faure also a doubt with knee trouble, the full-back berths are also a problem for Puel.

Karim Benzema is touch and go for a return to the starting line-up after missing the last couple of weeks with a thigh injury but skipper Juninho is suspended, meaning Sidney Govou is likely to take the captain's armband.

Bayern, 2-1 winners over Hoffenheim in a top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash last Friday, travel with a fully-fit squad of players to Lyon apart from long-term injury absentee Willy Sagnol.

Franck Ribery, Bayern's France winger, will play his first Champions League match in the country of his birth.

"The most important thing is that we qualified, and we have done that,'' Ribery said.

"But it's true that finishing top of the pool gives you an important advantage. That's why we are playing to win or to get a scoring draw."