Matchday 7 of the Europa League 2024/25 group stage between Fenerbahce (Turkey) and Lyon (France) will take place on January 23 at the Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul. Fenerbahce vs. Lyon: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Simone Sozza (Italy)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 36;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.1;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 20;
Penalties – 57%.
Predicted lineups for Fenerbahce vs. Lyon
Fenerbahce (4-2-3-1): Ertugrul Cetin – Caglar Soyuncu, Alexander Djiku, Yusuf Akcicek, Bright Osayi-Samuel – Sofyan Amrabat, Ismail Yuksek – Allan Saint-Maximin, Sebastian Szymanski, Dusan Tadic – Youssef En-Nesyri.
Lyon (4-3-3): Lucas Perry – Clinton Mata, Duje Caleta-Car, Moussa Niakhate, Abner – Rayan Cherki, Nemanja Matic, Corentin Tolisso – Ernest Nuamah, Alexandre Lacazette, Malick Fofana.
The starting lineup for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.
Fenerbahce
In the last round, the team ended their six-match scoring streak, losing to Athletic (0-2). This defeat marked Jose Mourinho's side's second loss in the Europa League group stage, with the other matches resulting in two wins and two draws. The club is currently in 21st place in the standings and has not yet secured a playoff spot. To reach the Round of 32, the Turkish team should avoid dropping points, as they are only one point ahead of the 25th position.
Main goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, defenders Jayden Oosterwolde, Rodrigo Becao, and Samet Akaydin will miss the game due to health issues. Additionally, defender Mert Muldur is suspended for this match.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 90 minutes in Fenerbahce's last four home matches in this tournament.
- The club has not lost in regular time in 10 of their last 11 home matches in the Europa League (6 wins, 4 draws).
- The team has not conceded more than one goal in 90 minutes in 8 of their last 10 home games in this European competition.
Lyon
Pierre Sage's side defeated Eintracht (3-2) in the last round. Lyon has been performing confidently in the current Europa League campaign, losing only once in the last six matches (4 wins, 1 draw). The team is in 4th place in the standings and has almost secured a spot in the Round of 32, with a good chance of remaining in the top eight and advancing directly to the Round of 16.
Midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles will not play due to health issues. Additionally, key defender Nicolas Tagliafico is suspended for this match.
- Lyon has won in regular time in 8 of their last 10 away games in the Europa League.
- The team has not conceded more than one goal in 90 minutes in 5 of their last 6 away matches in this tournament.
- No fewer than four goals have been scored in regular time in 5 of the club's last 7 away matches in the Europa League.
Fenerbahce vs. Lyon: Match Prediction
Lyon is the most prolific team in this tournament, having scored in 5 of their last 6 Europa League matches. The only team to keep a clean sheet against them was Besiktas. However, in that match, Pierre Sage's side created scoring opportunities worth 2.83 xG but failed to score. Lyon's attacking style often leads to defensive errors, with the team conceding in 4 of their last 5 Europa League matches.
Fenerbahce's defense is also not very reliable, as opponents have breached their backline in all six group stage matches. During this period, Jose Mourinho's side conceded even against teams with modest scoring records, such as Twente (1-1) and Slavia (2-1). However, their attack has been decent, as Fenerbahce scored in their last six matches in this European competition.
I expect both teams to play an open game without sitting back. My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
