The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa League Round of 16 between Lyon (France) and FCSB (Romania) will take place on March 12 at the National Arena in Bucharest. The first match ended 3-1 in favor of Lyon. Lyon vs. FCSB: prediction, betting odds, and statistics.
Lyon
The French team secured a comfortable advantage in the first leg with a 3-1 victory. Paulo Fonseca's side is unbeaten in six Europa League matches (3 wins, 3 draws). However, they have only kept a clean sheet once during this period. To advance to the quarter-finals, Lyon can even afford a narrow loss. In the current Europa League campaign, they have suffered only one defeat – a 0-1 loss to Besiktas.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Lyon's last 6 matches in this European competition.
- At home, the team has not won in 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches (3 draws, 2 losses).
- In 5 of their last 7 home games in the Europa League, Lyon has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Lyon (4-4-2)
Lucas Perry – Nicolas Tagliafico, Moussa Niakhate, Clinton Mata, Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Rayan Cherki, Tanner Tessmann, Nemanja Matic, Corentin Tolisso – Ernest Nuamah, Georges Mikautadze.
FCSB
The defeat in the last match was only the second for the Romanians in their last eight Europa League encounters (4 wins, 2 draws), but it has nearly eliminated their chances of advancing to the next round. In the second leg, Elias Charalambous's team needs to win by at least three goals. Notably, FCSB's last four major victories in this tournament were achieved in the qualifiers, and they have not thrashed an opponent in the main round of the Europa League since 2017. If the Romanians defeat the French with a two-goal margin, extra time will be required.
- FCSB has scored in 4 of their last 5 Europa League matches.
- Away in this tournament, the club has not lost in 6 of their last 7 matches (3 wins, 3 draws in regular time).
- In 8 of their last 11 away games in the Europa League, the Romanians have not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for FCSB (4-5-1)
Stefan Tarnovanu – Risto Radunovic, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mihai Popescu, Joyskim Dawa – Adrian Sut, Baba Alhassan, Florin Tanase, Yuri Chizotti, Malcom Edjouma – David Miculescu.
Forward Daniel Birligea and midfielders Darius Olaru and Octavian Popescu are injured.
Referee
Anthony Taylor (England)
Matches – 7 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 29%.
Lyon vs. FCSB: Match Prediction
The French side secured a victory in the first match with their quality. However, if not for lineup issues, the Romanians might not have settled for just one goal. Lyon's defense lacks reliability. As long as there's a chance to advance, Elias Charalambous's team will continue to seek opportunities at the opponent's goal.
FCSB has scored in 4 of their last 5 Europa League matches. Away in this tournament, the team has scored in 9 of their last 12 encounters. Given that the Romanians need to overcome a two-goal deficit, they will spend considerable time attacking.
Lyon has played to a clean sheet only twice in the 2024/25 Europa League, the fewest among the Round of 16 participants. Even at home, the team struggles to shut down opponents, conceding in 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches. The comfortable scoreline from the first leg might lull Paulo Fonseca's team into a false sense of security.
My prediction: FCSB Individual Total Over 0.5
