Verdict: Rayan Cherki over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Getting their Europa League quarter-final adventure underway on Thursday night, Manchester United will travel to France when they meet Lyon.
Lyon
Starting with the hosts, making an immediate return to winning ways last weekend, Lyon are enjoying what has become a real flurry. Picking up some perfect momentum as they secured a 2-1 victory against domestic rivals Lille, Les Gones find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Extending on their Europa League campaign prior to March’s international break as they clinched a 7-1 aggregate win against Romanian outfit FCSB, Lyon have won six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Looking to collect a heavyweight first-leg scalp on Thursday night, Paulo Fonseca’s men will also be excited by their continued dominance on home soil. In fact, the former Roma boss has seen his squad win all of their last four consecutive showdowns at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais by an aggregate score of 12-4.
Lyon Team News
Suffering a long-term knee injury in the opening minutes against Lille over the weekend, Lyon have confirmed that Ghanian youngster Ernest Nuamah will miss the remainder of the season. Likewise, missing out on Saturday night after picking up a training ground knock, former Southampton loanee Dude Caleta-Car remains a doubt.
Recording six goals in his previous nine appearances across all competitions, ex-Arsenal skipper Alexandre Lacazette will spearhead Lyon’s charge in the final third. Former Manchester United star Nemanja Matic could partner Tanner Tessmann in the middle of the park.
Manchester United
As for the visitors, while there might have been plenty of excitement around Old Trafford following Ruben Amorim’s arrival back in November, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has failed to offer any real stability. Firmly sat in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, Manchester United have won just a pair of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Although the Reds might have snatched a 0-0 stalemate against arch-rivals Manchester City last weekend, Thursday’s guests have gained a reputation for their struggles on the road. Marking their return from March’s international break with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Nottingham Forest, United have registered just a sole victory away from Old Trafford since the end of January. With all of their eggs placed in the European basket, Amorim’s squad will have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders.
Manchester United Team News
Dealing with a stacked injury list, Manchester United have already confirmed that they will be without the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Johnny Evans, Kobbie Mainoo and Ayden Heaven. While Amad Diallo might be determined to feature before the end of the season, the Ivory Coast international remains on the sidelines here.
However, in what could prove to be a timely return on Thursday night, Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt is expected to make a full return. Recording 10 goals across all competitions so far this season, skipper Bruno Fernandes will shoulder plenty of United’s attacking threat.
Lyon vs Manchester United Key Factors to Consider
- When Lyon and Manchester United last met back in March 2008, the Red Devils picked up a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
- Amorim’s camp have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
- Lyon have won six of their last seven appearances across all fronts.
- Les Gones have won all of their last four consecutive showdowns at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais by an aggregate score of 12-4.
- Lyon have notched at least a pair of goals in all of their last six straight home fixtures.
Conclusion
With Lyon enjoying what has been an extended flurry on either side of March’s international break, Les Gones will be confident of collecting a first-leg advantage here. Winning six of their previous seven appearances across all competitions, Thursday’s hosts have also gained a reputation for their success on home soil. Along with winning their previous four showdowns at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais by an aggregate score of 12-4, Fonseca’s men have also suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the end of October.
Verdict: Rayan Cherki over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 11/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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