Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Europa League match.
Hoffenheim have alternated between victories and defeats in the Europa League and have slipped to the relegation zone in the Bundesliga. For Olympique Lyonnais, this match presents an opportunity to return to winning ways and strengthen their position in the group following some setbacks in the domestic league and a defeat to Beşiktaş in the Europa League. The visitors will be highly focused on goal and will aim to trouble the hosts, perhaps more than once.
Hoffenheim
Hoffenheim are showing highly inconsistent results this season, securing just one victory in their last six Bundesliga matches and teetering on the brink of relegation. In the Europa League, the German side have collected four points from three rounds, with their sole victory coming against Dynamo Kyiv (2:0), a hard-fought match. Statistically, the club have lost half of their matches this season, with their defence conceding an average of 1.6 goals per game. Furthermore, their home form reveals a notable imbalance: four wins and three losses, and they have managed just one clean sheet.
Olympique Lyonnais
Lyon, after a string of setbacks in the national championship (two consecutive draws with Lille and Auxerre) and a missed opportunity against Beşiktaş (0:1), find themselves in a challenging situation. Nevertheless, they remain among the leaders in the Europa League group stage, having accumulated six points from three rounds. Their average scoring rate in European competitions is two goals per match, with an xG of 2.19, indicating a high-quality attack. Notable performers for the French club include forwards Alexandre Lacazette and Malik Fofana, each having netted twice.
Hoffenheim vs Olympique Lyonnais Prediction
Given the instability of both teams, their shaky defensive play, and frequent mistakes, the likelihood of a high-scoring match is quite significant. Hoffenheim's defence concedes in nearly every encounter, while Lyon's attack is particularly potent this season, with the team’s key players in excellent form.
