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

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

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

Match preview

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

Paulo Fonseca’s males managed giant intervals of the primary leg, dominating possession and creating higher probabilities, however have been left pissed off by their lack of innovative within the remaining third.

Regardless of 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 means of the primary half.

Nevertheless, 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.

Regardless of the numerical benefit, Lyon needed to wait till the closing levels to capitalise, with Endrick hanging from distance, as Ionut Radu did not take care of the trouble.

Nevertheless, their resistance was damaged late on when Endrick, on mortgage from Actual Madrid, struck from distance, with Radu unable to take care of the ability of the trouble because the ball slipped into the online.

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

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

Whereas Lyon loved a formidable 13-match successful run between December and February, their current kind has dipped considerably, with no wins of their final 5 matches throughout all competitions.

4 attracts and one defeat in that interval, coupled with a Coupe de France exit on penalties to Lens, underline the stress on Fonseca’s aspect to ship in Europe.

Celta Vigo, in the meantime, will likely be left to replicate 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 giant spells, with Ionut Radu producing a number of essential saves to maintain them in entrance.

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

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

Lyon Europa League kind:

Lyon kind (all competitions):

Celta Vigo Europa League kind:

Celta Vigo kind (all competitions):

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

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

Afonso Moreira can also be unavailable because of an analogous subject, whereas Ainsley Maitland-Niles is combating an adductor downside.

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

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

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

Oscar Mingueza can also be unavailable because of suspension after accumulating yellow playing cards.

Ferran Jutgla and Manu Fernandez are uncertain because 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:

Grave; 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 are saying: Lyon 2-1 Celta Vigo

Regardless of Celta Vigo’s attacking risk, Lyon’s dwelling 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 almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.