Celta Vigo will look to advance to the quarter-finals of UEFA competition for the first time since the 2016/17 season when they take on Lyon at Groupama Stadium on Thursday.
Interestingly, neither team is particularly enjoying their best form, as Lyon are currently on a six-match winless streak across all competitions, while Celta Vigo have no wins in their last three games.
The first leg of this round of 16 tie ended in a 1-1 stalemate in Spain last week.
Read our Lyon vs Celta Vigo prediction, preview and betting tips. You can also check out our Today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
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Lyon vs Celta Vigo key stats
- Celta Vigo's last four matches produced goals at both ends.
- Both teams were on the scoresheet in five of Lyon's last six games.
- Lyon's last two opponents finished with 10 men.
Lyon vs Celta Vigo preview: Can the hosts get back on course?
| Lyon | vs | Celta Vigo |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (Ligue 1) | Position | 6th (La Liga) |
| 47 | Points | 41 |
| 40 | Goals For | 38 |
| 27 | Goals Against | 31 |
| 13 | Clean Sheets | 8 |
| 4th | Home Rank | 17th |
| 5th | Away Rank | 3rd |
Exactly a month ago, Lyon were one of the hottest teams in Europe, winning 13 consecutive matches across all competitions. However, things have not gone swimmingly for Paulo Fonseca's troops since then, as they are now on a six-game winless run.
In that stretch, the Ligue 1 giants have been knocked out of the Coupe de France, and now they risk elimination from the UEFA Europa League.
Lyon have missed two of their three penalties in the UEFA Europa League this season, a joint-worst record.
Similarly, Celta Vigo's form has gotten considerably worse in recent weeks, as they were on a four-match winning streak at the beginning of March but are now without a win in three games.
Lyon will miss quite a number of key players for this game due to injury. Ernest Nuamah is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, with Pavel Sulc nursing a hamstring problem, and Remi Himbert suffering an ankle injury.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has adductor discomfort, youngster Noham Kamara is ruled out because of a groin issue, while Ruben Kluivert is dealing with muscular problems.
Only one team has more clean sheets than Lyon in the UEFA Europa League this season.
On loan from Real Madrid, Endrick levelled the scores for Lyon the last time these teams met, and the young Brazilian forward will look to make an impact alongside Abner Vinicius and Roman Yaremchuk in the hosts’ attack line.
Ahead of this fixture, Celta Vigo are fairly healthy, with only one injury to report, as Miguel Roman is still dealing with a metatarsal fracture, which leaves him potentially out for the season.
Borja Iglesias was sent off for two bookable offences in last Thursday's first-leg stalemate in Spain, making him unavailable here through suspension.
While Iglesias’ absence is a major blow for the La Liga side, Williot Swedberg, who has scored two of the team's four goals so far in the knockout rounds, and the now-fit Pablo Duran are both expected to feature in the final third for the visitors.
Lyon vs Celta Vigo form guide & betting tips
| Lyon | vs | Celta Vigo |
|---|---|---|
| L-L-D-D-D | Form | W-W-L-D-D |
| 6 | Goals For | 6 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
| W-W-W-W-D | Europa League form | W-D-W-W-D |
Whispers Predicts: Lyon 2-2 Celta Vigo
Lyon are currently priced as favourites by the bookies at 2.12.
However, given that Celta Vigo are coming off back-to-back draws, while Lyon's last four games were all tied at the end of regulation time, a full-time draw at 3.43 seems like good value.
Also, Celta's last four matches and five of Lyon's last six games produced goals at both ends.
On that note, we fancy our chances of a Draw & BTTS - Yes at 4.50.
> BTTS - Yes at 1.89 | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 2.10 | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result - Draw at 3.43 | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw & BTTS - Yes at 4.50 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 2-2 at 15.50 | Likelihood: Outsider