The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between FCSB (Romania) and Lyon (France) will take place on March 6 at the National Arena in Bucharest. FCSB vs. Lyon: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
FCSB
Elias Charalambous' team overcame PAOK in the previous round (2-0, 2-1). Thus, the Romanians have not lost in 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches (4 wins, 2 draws), keeping clean sheets in four of those games. However, before the second leg against the Greeks, FCSB conceded in three consecutive matches in this tournament. Reaching the Round of 16 equals their best achievement in this European competition.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 7 of the last 9 Europa League matches involving the Romanians.
- At home, the club has not lost in 5 of their last 6 Europa League matches (4 wins, 1 draw).
- In 8 of their last 10 home games in this tournament, FCSB has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for FCSB (4-5-1)
Ștefan Târnovanu – Risto Radunović, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mihai Popescu, Valentin Crețu – Adrian Șut, Vlad Chiricheș, Florin Tănase, Yuri Chizotti, David Miculescu – Daniel Birligea.
Defender Valentin Crețu is suspended. Forward Daniel Birligea, midfielders Darius Olaru and Octavian Popescu are injured.
Lyon
The French side had an excellent group stage, avoiding defeat in 7 of 8 matches (4 wins, 3 draws). Although the team kept only two clean sheets, only three clubs conceded fewer goals than Lyon in the top eight. Meanwhile, with 16 goals scored, they ranked fourth in overall scoring. Lyon last reached the Europa League Round of 16 in the 2021/22 season, successfully advancing past Porto (1-1, 1-0).
- The French have not lost away in their last 11 Europa League matches (8 wins, 3 draws).
- Lyon has scored in 10 of their last 11 away matches in this tournament.
- In 5 of their last 6 away games in the Europa League, the team has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Lyon (4-3-3)
Lucas Perry – Abner, Moussa Niakhaté, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Tanner Tessmann, Jordan Veretout, Corentin Tolisso – Ernest Nuamah, Georges Mikautadze, Rayan Cherki.
Head coach Paulo Fonseca is suspended for 9 months, but this does not affect international matches yet.
Referee
Tobias Stieler (Germany)
Matches – 11 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 52;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.7;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 27%.
FCSB vs. Lyon: Match Prediction
Although the Romanians cannot boast a prolific attack, Elias Charalambous' side scores quite regularly. In their last four Europa League matches, FCSB failed to score only against Manchester United. At home in this tournament, the team has scored in 17 of their previous 22 matches.
The French side did not concede only against Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe in the group stage. However, these teams recorded only 9 goals each. Out of the 24 clubs that advanced to the playoffs, 22 have a higher scoring rate. Away, Lyon has failed to keep a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 Europa League matches. Even in the national championship, Lyon's defense is not reliable, and among the top six teams, none have conceded more than Paulo Fonseca's side.
My prediction: FCSB Individual Total Over 0.5
