Lyon (home)
- Paulo Fonseca prefers to play in possession and will set up his team in a 4-2-3-1 system that allows him to be flexible on the flanks and in the centre of the field.
- Roman Yaremchuk is a physical target man for Lyon to pin defenders back, while Corentin Tolisso and Tyler Morton will control the pace of the game and transitioning phases.
- Endrick is the most dangerous man on the team since he joined from Palmeiras in January, scoring the late equaliser in Vigo and a recent hat-trick.
- Lyon have not won in recent matches, with three consecutive draws and a narrow loss to Marseille before the international break.
- Their recent results have been affected by absences and rotations and they have looked vulnerable at the back on occasions.
Celta (away)
- Celta will be looking to make it through to the quarter-finals in the knowledge that they are unbeaten in their last five matches, a run that includes a 2 - 0 win over Real Madrid and a 2 - 1 victory at Girona.
- The Celts took the lead through Javi Rueda, but Endrick’s late equaliser has kept the tie in the balance ahead of the home leg, with Celta forced to play much of the second half with ten men after Borja Iglesias’ sending off.
- Claudio Giráldez’s decision to adapt the 3-4-3 system to suit a more compact, counter-attacking approach has been an inspired one as they sit sixth in La Liga with 40 points from 27 matches.
- Giráldez’s side will not be an easy opponent in France with the pace of Williot Swedberg and Javi Rueda on the wings, the intelligence and energy of Borja Iglesias in behind and Ionut Radu in goal.
Head-to-Head
- The aggregate score is tied at 1 - 1 ahead of Thursday’s second leg, with Lyon holding home advantage.
- Their first-leg clash in Vigo saw Javi Rueda open the scoring before Endrick’s late equaliser and Celta played much of the second half with ten men after Borja Iglesias’ sending off.
Lyon
- Endrick - the club’s standout since January, scorer of the late equaliser in Vigo and a recent hat-trick.
- Roman Yaremchuk - a physical target who can occupy defenders and create space for teammates.
- Corentin Tolisso and Tyler Morton - midfielders expected to control tempo and transitions.
Celta
- Williot Swedberg - provides pace on the wing.
- Javi Rueda - influential down the flank and opened the scoring in the first leg.
- Borja Iglesias - offers intelligence and energy in the final third.
- Ionut Radu - capable of outstanding saves but was culpable for the away goal in Vigo.
Betting Insights
- Celta’s five-match unbeaten run and Lyon’s recent run of draws suggest this tie could be tight and decided by small margins.
- Lyon’s home advantage and Endrick’s form make them the more likely winners, but Celta’s compact, counter-attacking set-up is a clear threat.
Prediction
Celta are a quality side in their own right and a counter-attacking 2-1 win for the hosts looks the most likely outcome to this tense tie, although the draw and extra time could also be on the cards.
