FCSB vs Lyon prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2025-03-05 17:45.
[p]FCSB are competing in the last 16 of a European competition for the first time in 12 years, beating PAOK 4-1 on aggregate in the knockout play-off round of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) to reach this stage. The 1986 European champions have been impressive in this competition to date, with only Manchester United and Rangers beating them in their ten matches in the main draw (W6, D2).[/p]
[p]FCSB have now won the first leg of each of their last three UEL knockout ties, but with two of those ending in defeat, Elias Charalambous’ men can take nothing for granted even if they are victorious on Thursday against Lyon. Despite an eight-game unbeaten run across all competitions (W5, D3), the Romanians will have to defy history to take an advantage back to France as they have failed to win all prior four H2Hs (D1, L3).[/p]
[p]Lyon have only ever faced two sides more often in European competition while remaining unbeaten, but their recent inconsistency may leave them vulnerable to that run ending here. A run of one win in eight matches to start 2025 (D4, L3) has given way to three victories from their last four under new boss Paulo Fonseca, who finds himself under serious scrutiny after an angry reaction to being sent off at the weekend.[/p]
[p]Whether he is permitted on the touchline or not, Fonseca will be looking to extend Lyon’s 11-game unbeaten away run in the UEL (W8, D3). A 100% winning record on the road against Romanian opposition makes good reading for the travelling fans (W3), who will be looking to cheer their side on to a first European quarter-final in three years.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: FCSB’s all-action man Risto Radunović has directly contributed to five goals in as many appearances (G1, A4), but he has received three yellow cards in that time. Once more, Alexandre Lacazette is Lyon’s leading scorer this season (G12), with four of the last five of those coming after the hour mark. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Five of Lyon’s last six games have been level at half-time, but only one has ended in a draw. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]