The Matchday 1 clash of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between Utrecht (Netherlands) and Lyon (France) will take place on September 25 at the Galgenwaard Stadium. Utrecht vs. Lyon: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Utrecht
The Dutch secured their Europa League spot by finishing 4th in their national championship. In this tournament, Ron Jans' side defeated Sheriff (3-1, 4-1), Servette (3-1, 2-1), and Zrinjski (2-0, 0-0) in the qualifiers. The team rarely competes on the international stage. Their last Europa League appearance was in the 2019/20 season, where they were eliminated in the second qualifying round. The club's highest achievement was reaching the group stage of the UEFA Cup in 2002.
- The team is unbeaten in 8 Europa League matches (5 wins, 3 draws).
- Both teams scored in 6 of Utrecht's last 8 matches in this tournament.
- In their last 7 home games in the Europa League, the club has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Utrecht (4-5-1)
Vasilios Barkas – Sibe Horemans, Mike van der Hoorn, Nick Viergever, Soufyan El Karouani – Edryen Blake, Jivai Zehiel, Can Bozdogan, Alonzo Tim Engwanda-Onjena, Zidane Iqbal – David Min.
Lyon
The French team finished 6th in last season's Ligue 1, marking their second consecutive participation in the Europa League. In the 2024/25 Europa League, Lyon reached the main stage, advanced past FCSB in the first playoff round, but were eliminated by the eventual finalists in the next stage. The club's best Europa League achievement was reaching the semifinals in the 2016/17 season.
- The French have scored at least two goals in 7 of their last 9 Europa League matches.
- Lyon is unbeaten in regular time in their last 13 away matches in this tournament (9 wins, 4 draws).
- The team has conceded in 6 of their last 7 away Europa League games.
Predicted lineup for Lyon (3-5-2)
Dominik Greif – Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakate, Nicolas Tagliafico – Tanner Tessmann, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Hales Mera, Adam Karabec, Corentin Tolisso – Malik Fofana, Martin Satriano.
Midfielder Corentin Tolisso is suspended.
Referee
Horatiu Fesnic (Romania)
Matches – 12 (International matches, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 51;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 30;
Penalties – 33%.
Utrecht vs. Lyon: Match Prediction
The Dutch have not been fazed by their long absence from the international stage. Utrecht breezed through the qualifiers with 5 wins and one draw. Ron Jans' side showed excellent scoring ability, netting at least two goals in 5 of their 6 Europa League 2025/26 matches. Moreover, the goalless draw in the second leg against Zrinjski ended the club's 7-match scoring streak in this tournament. However, Utrecht lacks defensive reliability: they kept a clean sheet against the aforementioned Montenegrins but conceded in their previous 7 Europa League games.
The experienced European campaigners should have no trouble exploiting the hosts' defensive issues. Lyon scored in 8 of their last 9 Europa League matches, with the club netting at least twice in 7 of those games. However, the French need to tighten their defense. In the last Europa League campaign, Lyon conceded in 9 of their 12 matches.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
