Next win for OL?

It’s an extremely exciting group in this Europa League. Olympique Lyon, Brøndby Copenhagen, Sparta Prague and Glasgow Rangers not only offer a very high level of sporting appeal, but also tourist appeal for many fans who are now allowed to accompany their teams on foreign trips again.

The favourite to win the group is definitely Olympique Lyon. The French side may have had to let Memphis Depay go before the season, but they have otherwise brought in some top-class new signings. We wouldn’t necessarily call OL title contenders in the Europa League, but winning the trophy can’t be ruled out for Peter Bosz’s team either.

On Thursday, Danish champions Brøndby IF will be the guests in France. Whoever secures the title in Denmark and only fails in the play-offs for the Champions League is certainly no lightweight in the Europa League and yet bookmakers are clearly predicting a home win in the clash between Lyon and Brøndby

This is also due to the fact that the French have not only made a better start in the Europa League, but are also performing better than the Danes in their national league so far. Still, we think the odds on an easy home win are too low and therefore lean towards a tip on a handicap win for the home side between Lyon and Brøndby.

France Lyon – Statistics & current form

Peter Bosz has been employed by OL for less than half a year and yet he seems to have arrived at a club that is tailor-made for him. Even if the results are not always right, he is extremely popular in the team and at the club. These are the best conditions to develop a team that wants to close the general gap on Paris Saint-Germain.

Still room for improvement

In Ligue 1, however, Lyon are currently only in seventh place. Twelve points from eight games mean that they are already twelve points behind leaders PSG. After all, they are top of the group after their opening win in the Europa League at Glasgow Rangers and that is also an indication to rather play the odds on a home win between Lyon and Brøndby. Moreover, OL lost in only one of their last seven competitive matches.

Last weekend, OL dropped a point against FC Lorient, who are also having a strong season. Peter Bosz’s side were even 1-0 down after 20 minutes, but equalised shortly after the break through a goal from Ekambi. However, it was too little to climb up the Ligue 1 rankings.

To make matters worse, two more players were injured, which Peter Bosz does not need at the moment. Jason Denayer and Islam Slimani will not be available against Brøndby. The same applies to Moussa Dembele, Jeff Reine-Adelaide, Tino Kadewere and Malo Gusto. Jerome Boateng was also injured recently, but is likely to be able to play on Thursday.

Predicted line-up of Lyon:
Lopes – Emerson, Boateng, Diomande, Dubois – Guimaraes, Caqueret – Aouar, Paqueta, Shaqiri – Toko Ekambi – Coach: Bosz

Last matches played by Lyon:

Denmark Brøndby – Statistics & current form

There is unrest at the Danish champions. This is mainly due to the fact that they have fallen short of expectations in the games so far in the new season. In addition, there are some unhappy players who had hoped for more playing time. The lack of points in the Superliga standings naturally plays into the cards of these players.

Brøndby behind expectations

After ten completed games, Brøndby have just eleven points on their account and are in seventh place. As reigning title holders, they naturally have higher expectations. After all, there has only been one defeat in the last six competitive matches Nevertheless, in the duel between Lyon and Brøndby, the prediction can only go in the direction of a home win

At the weekend, however, there was a 2-1 home win in the Superliga against Aalborg. After half an hour, Niels Frederiksen’s team even fell behind 0:1. At least attacker Mikael Uhre is in good form. He scored a brace to secure a 2-1 win for his side and ensure that they can prepare for the game in France in peace.

Paraguayan Riveros may make his comeback after an absence of almost a year due to injury, but if so then probably from the bench. Wikström and Bjur, on the other hand, continue to look poor. Both left-backs will still not be an option on Thursday, so Brøndby are again expected to play with a three-man backline.

Predicted line-up of Brøndby:
Hermansen – Rosted, Maxsö, Tshiembe – Mensah, Radosevic, Slimane, Frendrup, Bruus – Uhre, Hedlund – Coach: Frederiksen

Last matches played by Brøndby:

Lyon – Brøndby Direct comparison / H2H balance

It has been a few years since Olympique Lyon and Brøndby Copenhagen crossed paths. In the first round of the UEFA Cup in the 1997/98 season, the two clubs faced each other in two games. At that time, the Europa League did not yet exist and the competition was played without a group stage and only in knockout rounds.

The French won the first leg in Lyon 4:1 and were almost certain to reach the second round. The return match in Denmark was won 3:2 by OL. Ebbe Sand and Kim Daugaard had put Brøndby 2:0 ahead after ten minutes, but the French turned the game around and won both matches against Brøndby

France Lyon – Brøndby Denmark tip

Lyon is probably the best team in this group in terms of quality. This is also evident in the quotes, as there are quotes of just over 1.20 on an easy home win in the clash against the Danish champions. That is far too little to bet on a success for OL. The value is at least not discernible in it.

Overall, both teams have played a similar season to this point, although that is true for the French in a much stronger league at a higher level. What OL is capable of was made clear in the 2-0 win in Glasgow. That’s why we think we should lean towards a tip on a to-nil win for the hosts in the Lyon vs Brøndby match.