Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Here’s bettingexpert’s Lyon vs Olympiakos prediction, team news and lineups preview. The Europa League makes its debut for the season with a new format and every team playing eight fixtures in a revised ‘league phase’ Lyon worked wonders at the back end of last season to qualify for this competition and they face Conference League champions Olympiakos in the first round. This promises to be an exciting clash and expert Steve Wyss previews the game in full with the best bets and analysis. 

• Lyon vs Olympiakos Tip 1: Over 2.5 goals

• Lyon vs Olympiakos Tip 2: Ayoub El Kaabi to score anytime
• Lyon vs Olympiakos Tip 3: Gift Orban to score anytime

Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction 1: Open game expected in France

UEFA Europa League, Thursday September 23rd 20:00 (UK)

The over 2.5 goal line at evens immediately catches the eye here as being overpriced. Lyon are a difficult team to work out but in general they look a bit of an organizational mess, keeping just one clean sheet so far in what was an unusual game vs Lens. They somehow failed to beat a Marseille side who played with ten men for over 85 mins on Sunday and conceded three goals in the last 20 minutes. Les Gones were never the most solid team last season but it feels like they have taken a step backwards.

Olympiakos are the sort of side who play with no fear in Europe. We saw when they won the Conference League last season that they are not intimidated by the big stage. They went to Villa Park and beat the Premier League club 4-2, whilst they also mounted a crazy comeback against Maccabi Tel Aviv in one of the earlier rounds. In Ayoub El Kaabi they have a very dangerous striker and the right hand side of the team with Gelson Martins and Rodinei is known for its strong creativity. Over 2.5 goals is too big to ignore here because one way or another it should land. This will likely be an open affair with chances at both ends and neither team looks set for a clean sheet.

• Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction 1: Over 2.5 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction 2: El Kaabi to be big threat in Europe again

Moroccan striker Ayoub El Kaabi was an absolute revelation in Europe last season. He racked up 16 goals in 19 games combined, 11 of which were in the Conference League. He became a brilliant ‘complete forward’ type of striker and was incredibly difficult to play against for opposition defenses. He has started this season in reasonable form with a brace of goals vs Lamia and he was also on the scoresheet at the weekend in the defeat against Aris. Scoring for his national team during the international break was also a major boost.

If you believe that Olympiakos can get on the scoresheet here, which I certainly think they can, then you may as well back El Kaabi to hit the back of the net. He is by far their biggest threat, a proven European force and on penalty taking duty. He has the physical and mental attributes required to do well on this stage and is the type of player who will raise the level of his performance in matches like this. Odds of 3.25 are simply too big for the Moroccan to score and the main reason is probably because The Greek outfit are underrated. 

• Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction 2: Ayoub El Kaabi to score anytime (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.25
• Bookmaker: bet365 
• Stake: 4/10

Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction 3: Too big of a Gift to turn down

The Lyon XI is much harder to predict so make sure to void this bet if he doesn’t start, but Gift Orban looks overpriced to score anytime. He is a streaky type of player but I suspect the European stage could be ideal for him and potentially free up his style of play with less pressure. The Nigerian attacker has started both matches since he netted a brace of goals vs Strasbourg so is seemingly in favour. Lyon have been using a 3-5-2 system recently which opens up the potential for more strikers to start.

Orban has a fantastic record in European competitions, scoring 14 goals in 16 appearances for Belgian side Gent in the Conference League. Certain players thrive on this stage and it looks like the perfect type of environment for the manager to throw in and let loose. He has the pace and technical skills to confuse Olympiakos. In what could potentially be a high scoring game, any attacker for Lyon should be getting enough chances to score. The Europa League might get the best out of Gift Orban and he’s overpriced at odds of 3.50 compared to the likes of Lacazette and Mikautadze who are both bang out of form. 

• Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction 3: Gift Orban to score anytime (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 3/10

Lyon vs Olympiakos Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, September 23rd 2024. Odds may now differ.

Lyon vs Olympiakos Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups: Could Lyon change things up?

The Lyon XI is very difficult to predict and there might be a temptation to make some changes to the side which lost 2-3 at home to Marseille at the weekend. Lyon have been playing in a 3-5-2 system recently so they might keep this, or revert back to a 4-3-3. Ernest Nuamah is pushing very hard for a start, whilst Georges Mikautade might be given a potential opportunity upfront.

Olympiakos should lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Ayoub El Kaabi leading the line upfront. They have a squad in healthy condition so any changes made will likely be tactical or if the coach prefers some sort of rotation. 

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Perri, Tagliafico, Caleta-Car, Clinton-Mata, Abner, Tolisso, Matic, Veretout, Nuamah, Mikautadze, Orban

Olympiakos possible starting lineup:
Tzolakis, Ortega, Carmo, Ntoi, Rodinei, Garcia, Hezze, Velde, Chiquinho Martins, El Kaabi

Match OPTA Stats: Nearly two decades since the last meeting

• The two teams have not met since the 2005 Champions League when Lyon claimed a group stage double.
• Lyon have only won one out of five league games to start the season
• Lyon are the least fouled team in Ligue 1 (9.20 per game)
• Olympiakos’ unbeaten start to the season was ended by Aris at the weekend (1-2)

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