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 remained unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches (4 wins, 2 draws), keeping a clean sheet in four of those games. However, it's worth noting that before the second leg against the Greeks, FCSB had conceded in three consecutive games in this tournament. Reaching the Europa League Round of 16 matches the team's 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 encounters (4 wins, 1 draw).
- In 8 of their last 10 home matches in this tournament, FCSB has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for FCSB (4-5-1)
Stefan Tarnovanu – Risto Radunovic, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mihai Popescu, Valentin Cretu – Adrian Sut, Vlad Chiriches, Florin Tanase, Juri Chizotti, David Miculescu – Daniel Birlighea.
Defender Valentin Cretu is suspended. Forward Daniel Birlighea, midfielders Darius Olaru and Octavian Popescu are injured.
Lyon
The French team excelled in the group stage, remaining unbeaten in 7 of 8 matches (4 wins, 3 draws). Although the team managed to keep a clean sheet only twice, only three clubs conceded fewer goals than Lyon in the top eight. Meanwhile, with 16 goals scored, they ranked fourth in overall scoring. The last time Lyon reached the Europa League Round of 16 was in the 2021/22 season, successfully advancing past this stage by defeating Porto (1-1, 1-0).
- Away from home in the Europa League, the French team is unbeaten in 11 matches (8 wins, 3 draws).
- Lyon scored in 10 of their last 11 away games in this tournament.
- In 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Europa League, the team has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Lyon (4-3-3)
Lucas Perry – Abner, Moussa Niakhate, Duje Caleta-Car, Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Tanner Tessmann, Jordan Veretout, Corentin Tolisso – Ernest Nuamah, Giorgi Mikautadze, Rayan Cherki.
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%.
Match Prediction: FCSB vs. PAOK
Although the Romanians cannot boast a prolific attacking game, Elias Charalambous' side scores fairly 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 last 22 matches.
The French team did not concede only against Olympiacos and Fenerbahce in the group stage. However, these teams scored just 9 goals each. Among the 24 clubs that reached the playoffs, 22 have a higher scoring rate. Away, Lyon failed to keep a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 Europa League matches. Even in the national championship, Lyon does not display reliable defensive play, and no team in the top 6 of the tournament has conceded more than Paulo Fonseca's side.
My prediction: FCSB Individual Total Over 0.5
