Lyon vs Sparta Prague

Lyon will be looking to all but cement their place in the UEFA Europa League knock-outs when they take on Sparta Prague at the Groupama Stadium.

Lyon staged a stunning second-half comeback to beat Sparta 4-3 in the reverse fixture on Matchday 3 and come to within one win away from reaching the Europa League knock-outs. Despite a sluggish Ligue 1 start, ‘Les Gones’ have been nothing short of outstanding in Europe this term, winning all three Group A fixtures while scoring an average of 3.00 goals per match. Far more prolific beyond half-time, Peter Bosz’s men have registered a clear majority (77.78%) of their Europa League goals scored this term in the second half of play (7/9). Another successful midweek is seemingly on the cards, at least based on Lyon’s recent home fortunes against Czech visitors. Indeed, the French giants have won each of their last four such match-ups while they’ve only lost one of their previous 19 home games in European football (W10, D8).

Meanwhile, inconsistency has highlighted Sparta’s European performances this season (W1, D1, L1), with their opening two Group A matches featuring just one goal in total. But low scoring might not necessarily be a theme here, as three of Sparta’s last four competitive away fixtures have seen both teams score at least twice! Exacting revenge on Lyon for Matchday 3 heartbreak could prove difficult, though, as the Czech giants have suffered six defeats across their previous nine away games in the Europa League (W2, D1), failing to find the net in three of their last five travels in the competition. Additionally, a trip to Lyon is likely to stir unpleasant memories, with Sparta losing both previous away European H2Hs by an aggregate score of 7-1.