- Lyon and Celta de Vigo are level at 1-1 on aggregate after a nerve-jangling first leg
- Celta are sixth in LaLiga with 40 points from 27 matches - enjoying one of their best league campaigns in recent years
- Lyon have mixed form across all competitions, with three consecutive draws and a narrow 1-0 loss to Marseille
Lyon look to lock down Celta and go through
Olympique Lyonnais and Celta de Vigo face off for the first time in a major competition in this season’s UEFA Europa League 2025-2026 round of 16 and both clubs will be looking to lock down a quarter-final place on Thursday.
The first leg last week in Vigo was tense from the start as Celta took the lead through Javi Rueda in the second half. Lyon had the better of the play early on, but were unable to create a clear chance until late when Endrick equalised for the visitors.
Celta, who played much of the second half with ten men following Borja Iglesias’ dismissal, could have won the game had the hosts taken their chances, but they will still be in the tie after the home leg despite Ionut Radu’s error that gifted Lyon their away goal.
Pacey Endrick gives Lyon the edge
His error did gift Lyon their away goal, but Radu’s saves kept the two clubs level at 1-1 and he remains a big reason why Celta have done so well in LaLiga this season. The Galicians arrive in France in fine form, having gone five games unbeaten in the league and Europe, and having beaten Real Madrid 2-0 and Girona 2-1.
Claudio Giráldez has moulded a terrific all-round team. He sets his team up in a compact 3-4-3 system that uses the wing-backs for width, presses intensely and hits teams hard on the counter-attack when they lose possession in central areas.
Lyon set up differently, in a more possession-based style with a double pivot that allows the wide players to push on and cover for each other. Paulo Fonseca is a highly tactical manager and has kept Lyon in the Ligue 1 top four in spite of some rotation and absences.
Celta will be dangerous on the break
His side have looked a little more vulnerable at the back of late, however, which could spell trouble against Celta. Williot Swedberg and Javi Rueda provide pace and creativity on the flanks, with the former providing the assist for Celta’s opener in Vigo.
But the big difference in this matchup is the presence of Endrick, who has made Lyon a lot more dangerous up front with his pace and finishing since January.
He was on the mark in Vigo and then scored a recent hat-trick.
He should get some joy, and Roman Yaremchuk provides a physical presence alongside him, while Corentin Tolisso and Tyler Morton will control the tempo and transitions for Lyon.
Home crowd can help Lyon squeeze through
Celta’s top scorer Iglesias is a big danger, but his red card in Vigo leaves him facing possible suspension for this second leg and, if he doesn’t play, then Celta will lack the cutting edge to win in France. The bookmakers have Lyon at 97/100 to win the tie, with Celta at 57/20 and the draw at 23/10, so the hosts are very clear favourites to book a quarter-final appearance.
But Celta’s resilience in Vigo when down to ten men and Radu’s keeping ability make the visitors a solid underdog bet here. Lyon have been in mixed form, having drawn their last three games and lost to Marseille prior to that. The home crowd can make the atmosphere at Parc Olympique Lyonnais a difficult place for any visiting team and Lyon’s late equaliser in Vigo should give them a mental edge on their Spanish opponents.
The draw still looks a distinct possibility, however, as this tie appears finely balanced on a knife’s edge and Lyon will have to be at their best to go through - so we’re taking the BTTS at 17/20 and under 2.5 goals at 7/10 and a 1-0 home win as our preferred correct score option.
