MANCHESTER UNITED and Lyon clash in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final showdown at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.
Lyon vs Man Utd preview
Manchester United are back in Europa League action, and the stakes could hardly be higher.
Currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, this competition represents Ruben Amorim’s only shot at silverware â and more importantly, a route back into next season’s Champions League.
Fortunately for Amorim and United supporters alike, the Red Devils have been at their best on the European stage.
Under Amorim, they remain the only unbeaten side left in the tournament, having won five and drawn one of their six matches so far.
Their most recent triumph was an emphatic 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford, a performance that has cemented their status as outright favourites to lift the trophy in May.
However, goals have been hard to come by of late.
Since the international break, United have failed to find the net in back-to-back fixtures against Nottingham Forest and Manchester City â mustering only three big chances across both games.
History, at least, is on their side. United have never lost to Lyon in five previous meetings, registering three wins and two draws against the French club.
Lyon, meanwhile, come into the tie riding high after a dramatic comeback win over arch-rivals Lille â an important result in their bid for Champions League qualification.
Confidence will be high at Groupama Stadium, especially given their impressive home record in Europe, where they’ve lost just three of their last 28 matches.
The French side have also been one of the most entertaining teams in Ligue 1 recently, with their last ten games producing a staggering 42 goals.
That said, they'll be wary of history repeating itself, having been knocked out in each of their last three two-legged ties against English opposition.
- Lyon 3/2 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE
- Draw 12/5 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE
- Man Utd 17/10 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Goals
Gary Neville slammed Manchester United and Manchester City for being “micromanaged to an inch of their lives” and “robotic” after their goalless Manchester derby on Sunday.
But if recent form is anything to go by, don’t expect anything quite so sterile when Lyon take to the pitch under Paulo Fonseca.
Lyon’s last 10 matches have produced a staggering 42 goals, with Over 2.5 Goals landing in 10 of their last 11 games across all competitions. Fonseca's attacking influence has been especially evident at home, where his side have found the net 18 times in just six matches since his arrival.
- Over 3.5 Goals at 21/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE
Penalty
Well, it seems that matches involving Lyon often come with a penalty.
Paulo Fonseca's side have received a spot kick in each of their last three games in all competitions, and a total of five have been dished out in their last 11 fixtures. It could be worth a shout given Thursday's referee Glenn Nyberg has awarded two penalties in his last five games.
- Penalty Taken And Scored at 11/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE
