OL with half hearts?
The introduction of the Conference League has made the group stage in the Europa League a little more exciting, because not only do the first two teams move into the play-offs, as before, but the third team continues in the Conference League in the spring. Therefore, the current round in the second European league should remain exciting.
Of course, that doesn’t apply to Olympique Lyon. The French have already secured victory in their group and are already safely in the round of 16. Sparta Prague, Glasgow Rangers and Brøndby Copenhagen are fighting for the other two places that will allow them to stay in the European Cup.
The Danes currently have the worst cards. Brøndby are at the bottom of the table with only two points from four games. Prague and Glasgow, however, are both only two points away. With a home win on Thursday, Niels Frederiksen’s team would be right back in the thick of things. However, ahead of the clash between Brøndby Copenhagen and Lyon, the prediction is more towards a win for the visitors.
The odds are not that far apart among the betting providers tested. This is probably due to the fact that OL may be playing with a second-string team in order to save the players for future tasks. Therefore, a bet on a draw between Brøndby Copenhagen and Lyon could possibly be suitable.
Brøndby Copenhagen – Statistics & current form
The Danish champions have made a slow start to the season. However, Niels Frederiksen’s side have since recovered and are fifth in the Superligaen with 27 points. The gap to leaders Midtjylland is seven points, but the minimum goal of finishing in the top six and qualifying for the playoffs is within reach again.
Nationally strong – internationally with room for improvement
This is because Brøndby recently celebrated five wins in a row in the league. However, domestic tasks and a duel against a European top team like OL are two pairs of shoes. Internationally, the Danes are still without a win and therefore we primarily check the odds on an away win in the clash between Brøndby Copenhagen and Lyon.
Last weekend, however, Niels Frederiksen’s team put in a very strong performance as they got the better of league leaders Midtjylland 2-1. The home side even took the lead, but Mikael Uhre turned the game around before the break with a brace. It was the strength in the tackle that was Brøndby’s big plus.
Their self-confidence has grown steadily in the last few weeks, but now it must also be noticeable in the Europa League, because with a defeat, at least second place in the group is probably no longer attainable. In terms of personnel, things look very tidy, with Rasmus Wikström apparently missing only one player. Henrik Heggheim will replace the centre-back.
Predicted line-up of Brøndby Kopenhagen:
Hermansen – Maxsö, Heggheim, Rosted – Slimane, Frendrup, Radosevic, Mensah, Bruus – Uhre, Hedlund – Coach: Frederiksen
Last matches played by Brøndby Kopenhagen:
Superleague
11/21 2021 – FC Midtjylland 1 – 2 Brøndby Kopenhagen
11/07 2021 – Brøndby Kopenhagen 2 – 1 Odense BK
Europa League Grp. A
11/04 2021 – Brøndby Kopenhagen 1 – 1 Rangers
Superleague
10/31 2021 – Viborg 0 – 1 Brøndby Copenhagen
Danish Cup
10/28 2021 – Aalborg Freja 0 – 3 Brøndby Kopenhagen
Lyon – Statistics & current form
Olympique Lyon have assembled a team this season that should be destined for greater things. Despite the departure of Memphis Depay, OL should be stronger this year, but Peter Bosz’s side continue to struggle in Ligue 1. After 13 games, they have only 19 points. At the moment, that’s only good enough for ninth place.
Nationally there is room for improvement – internationally strong
At least things are going well in the Europa League. With four wins from four games, the French have a flawless record so far. The two away games at Glasgow Rangers and Sparta Prague were both won. Therefore, the prediction for the match between Brøndby Copenhagen and Olympique Lyon is a victory for the French.
Last weekend, there were again unpleasant scenes in Ligue 1. In the middle of it this time: the fans of Olympique Lyon. In the duel against Marseille, only a few minutes had been played when the match was stopped because of a bottle throwing incident. Lyon have already been ordered to play their next two home games in front of empty stands.
In any case, Peter Bosz’s team will be able to go into the match in Denmark fresh. But we think it’s conceivable that there will be a rotation anyway, because there’s nothing at stake for OL anymore. With Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Moussa Dembele and Lenny Pintor, three players are missing due to injury. Otherwise, at least the entire squad will be available.
Lyon’s likely line-up:
Lopes – Emerson, Boateng, Denayer, Dubois – Guimaraes, Mendes, Cherki – Aouar, Shaqiri, Slimani – Coach: Bosz
Last matches played by Lyon:
Ligue 1
11/07 2021 – Rennes 4 – 1 Lyon
Europa League Grp. A
11/04 2021 – Lyon 3 – 0 Sp. Prague
Ligue 1
10/30 2021 – Lyon 2 – 1 Lens
10/24 2021 – Nice 3 – 2 Lyon
Europa League Grp. A
10/21 2021 – Sp. Prague 3 – 4 Lyon
Brøndby Copenhagen – Lyon Direct comparison / H2H-balance
Three times the teams of Brøndby Kopenhagen and Olympique Lyon have crossed paths so far. All three matches have been in the Europa League or its predecessor, the UEFA Cup. OL have prevailed in all matches and have an unblemished record against the reigning Danish champions.
In 1997, the French side won 4-1 at home and 3-2 away, while in the first leg of the current group stage, Lyon won 3-0 at home. The match was still goalless at the break, but Karl Toko Ekambi put his side on the winning track with a brace. With six goals, the Cameroonian is also the most successful goal scorer in the Europa League. Houssem Aouar added the third goal.
Brøndby Copenhagen – Lyon tip
Brøndby cannot afford another failure in the Europa League. A defeat and the train in the direction of second place would be pretty much gone. That’s why the Danes are now looking to build on their recent successes in the Superligaen, where they won five in a row. Olympique Lyon, however, are of a different calibre than the opponents you usually meet in Denmark.
The French, however, are already through and have the group victory in the bag. Therefore, it is possible that Peter Bosz will not field his top team in order to save some players for future tasks. Nevertheless, OL has much more quality in the squad and therefore our tendency is clear.
We can imagine both teams scoring. The Danes are forced to act offensively and OL should find spaces to exploit as a result. However, we think the French will score at least one more goal and have decided to play the betting odds between Brøndby Copenhagen and Lyon on a success for the visitors.
