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 statistics.
FCSB
Elias Charalambous's side overcame PAOK in the previous round (2-0, 2-1). Thus, the Romanians have avoided defeat in 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches (4 wins, 2 draws), keeping clean sheets in four of those games. However, before the second leg against the Greeks, FCSB had conceded in three consecutive matches in this tournament. Reaching the Round of 16 equals 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 games (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)
Ștefan Târnovanu – Risto Radunović, Siyabonga Ngezana, Mihai Popescu, Valentin Crețu – Adrian Șut, Vlad Chiricheș, Florin Tănase, Yuri Chizotti, David Miculescu – Daniel Bîrligă.
Defender Valentin Crețu is suspended. Forward Daniel Bîrligă and midfielders Darius Olaru and Octavian Popescu are injured.
Lyon
The French side performed excellently in the group stage, avoiding defeat in 7 of 8 matches (4 wins, 3 draws). Although the team managed only two clean sheets, only three clubs conceded fewer goals than Lyon among the top eight. Meanwhile, with 16 goals scored, the team ranked fourth in overall scoring. The last time Lyon reached the Round of 16 in the Europa League was in the 2021/22 season, where they successfully overcame Porto (1-1, 1-0).
- Away from home in the Europa League, the French have remained unbeaten in 11 matches (8 wins, 3 draws).
- Lyon has scored in 10 of their last 11 away games in this tournament.
- In 5 of their last 6 away Europa League games, the team has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Lyon (4-3-3)
Lucas Perry – Abner, Moussa Niakhaté, Duje Ćaleta-Car, Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Tanner Tessmann, Jordan Veretout, Corentin Tolisso – Ernest Nuamah, Georges Mikautadze, Rayan Cherki.
Head coach Paulo Fonseca is suspended for nine months, but this does not currently affect international matches.
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%.
FCSB vs. Lyon: Match Prediction
Although the Romanians cannot boast a prolific attack, Elias Charalambous's side scores quite regularly. In their last four Europa League matches, FCSB failed to find the net only against Manchester United. At home in this tournament, the team has scored in 17 of their last 22 matches.
The French side did not concede only against Olympiacos and Fenerbahçe in the group stage. However, these teams scored only 9 goals each. Of the 24 clubs that reached the playoffs, 22 had 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 struggles defensively, and among the top 6 teams, no one has conceded more than Paulo Fonseca's side.
My prediction: FCSB Individual Total Over 0.5
