Preview: Lyon vs Celta Vigo – prediction, team news, lineups

Seeking a spot within the Europa League quarter-finals for the second consecutive season, Lyon welcome Celta Vigo to the Groupama Stadium on Thursday night time for the second leg of their final-16 tie.

The French outfit snatched a late equaliser within the first leg to depart the competition finely poised, whereas the Sky Blues should now regroup after letting a lead slip on residence soil.

Match preview

The first leg ended dramatically, as Lyon snatched a late equaliser to safe a vital draw on Spanish soil, leaving the tie balanced forward of the return leg.

Paulo Fonseca’s males managed massive intervals of the primary leg, dominating possession and creating higher possibilities, however they have been left pissed off by their lack of leading edge within the ultimate third.

Despite Lyon’s territorial dominance, it was Celta Vigo who struck first in opposition to the run of play, with Javi Rueda breaking the impasse halfway by the primary half.

However, the sport took a decisive flip within the second half when Iglesias was despatched off for an elbow on Clinton Mata, decreasing Celta to 10 males and shifting momentum in Lyon’s favour.

Despite the numerical benefit, Lyon needed to wait till the closing levels to capitalise, with Endrick placing from distance, as Ionut Radu didn’t take care of the hassle.

That late leveller might show decisive, not solely within the tie but additionally for Endrick’s confidence, because the Brazilian ended a 4-recreation purpose drought in dramatic trend.

Lyon’s latest European pedigree additionally gives encouragement, having reached the quarter-finals in two of their final appearances within the competitors.

While Lyon loved a powerful 13-match profitable run between December and February, their latest type has dipped considerably, with no wins of their final six matches throughout all competitions.

Three attracts and three defeats in that interval, together with a Coupe de France exit on penalties to Lens, underline the stress on Fonseca’s facet to ship in Europe.

© Imago / Pressinphoto

Celta Vigo, in the meantime, might be left to mirror on a missed alternative after failing to carry onto their benefit within the first leg.

To their credit score, Celta remained compact and disciplined, irritating Lyon for big spells, with Radu producing a number of necessary saves to maintain them in entrance.

Claudio Giraldez’s facet are competing in Europe for the primary time because the 2016-17 marketing campaign, after they suffered a slender mixture defeat to Manchester United within the semi-finals.

Despite their inexperience at this stage in recent times, Celta have proven encouraging type, recording two wins, two attracts and one defeat of their final 5 matches throughout all competitions.

Lyon Europa League type:

Lyon type (all competitions):

Celta Vigo Europa League type:

Celta Vigo type (all competitions):

Team News

© Imago / Icon Sport

Lyon are going through a number of harm points, which can be contributing to their poor type.

Pavel Sulc, who has been a key contributor with 14 objectives this season, stays sidelined with a hamstring harm.

Afonso Moreira can also be unavailable as a result of an analogous situation, whereas Ainsley Maitland-Niles is scuffling with an adductor drawback.

Malick Fofana is recovering from an ankle harm, Ruben Kluivert is coping with a muscle situation, and Ernest Nuamah is dominated out with a cruciate ligament harm.

Noham Kamara and Remi Himbert are additionally on the remedy desk, additional limiting Fonseca’s squad depth.

Celta Vigo might be with out Borja Iglesias, who’s suspended following his crimson card within the first leg.

Oscar Mingueza can also be unavailable as a result of suspension after accumulating yellow playing cards.

Ferran Jutgla and Manu Fernandez are uncertain as a result of head and muscle accidents respectively, whereas Miguel Roman is dominated out.

With Iglesias absent, Pablo Duran Fernandez could possibly be handed a beginning position in assault, supported by skilled ahead Iago Aspas.

Lyon doable beginning lineup:

Greif; Mata, Niakhate, Kango, Tagliafico; Morton, Tolisso, Tessmann; Vinicius, Endrick, Yaremchuk

Celta Vigo doable beginning lineup:

Radu; Alonso, Starfelt, Rodriguez, Carreira; Moriba, Vecino, Rueda; Swedberg, Duran, Aspas

We say: Lyon 2-1 Celta Vigo (Lyon win 3-2 on mixture)

Despite Celta Vigo’s attacking risk, Lyon’s residence benefit and the momentum gained from their late equaliser give them the sting. The hosts are anticipated to edge a good contest and progress on mixture.

For knowledge evaluation of the most certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.