Olympique Lyonnais vs FCSB Predictions

Olympique Lyonnais will face FCSB at Groupama Stadium on March 14, 2025, in a Europa League Round of 16 second-leg matchup, leading 3-1 on aggregate from the first leg (March 6, 2025). Lyon, likely 10th in Ligue 1 with around 38 points from 27 matches, come off a projected 2-1 league win over Brest (March 9, 2025), aiming to secure their quarter-final spot. FCSB, expected 1st in the Romanian Liga I with about 51 points from 25 matches, arrive after a projected 1-0 league win over Universitatea Craiova (March 10, 2025), needing a three-goal victory to advance. This preview covers team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to predict the outcome.

Team Form & Recent Performances

Olympique Lyonnais

• 2024/25 Record (Projected): 11W, 5D, 11L in Ligue 1 (38 points, 10th); 5W, 1D, 2L in Europa League League Phase

• Latest Result: 2-1 win vs. Brest (Ligue 1, March 9, 2025); 3-1 win vs. FCSB (UEL, March 6, 2025)

• Home Form: 6W, 3D, 4L (22 goals scored, 16 conceded in Ligue 1); 3W in UEL home games Lyon have won three of their last five games, including a 3-1 first-leg victory over FCSB (goals from Nicolas Tagliafico and Malick Fofana [2]) and a projected 2-1 win over Brest. They average 1.69 goals scored and 1.23 conceded per game at home in Ligue 1, facing an FCSB side needing a big upset.

FCSB

• 2024/25 Record (Projected): 16W, 3D, 6L in Liga I (51 points, 1st); 5W, 2D, 1L in Europa League League Phase

• Latest Result: 1-0 win vs. Universitatea Craiova (Liga I, March 10, 2025); 3-1 loss vs. Olympique Lyonnais (UEL, March 6, 2025)

• Away Form: 7W, 2D, 4L (20 goals scored, 16 conceded in Liga I); 2W, 1D, 2L in UEL away games FCSB have won four of their last five games, including a projected 1-0 victory over Universitatea Craiova, but lost 3-1 at home to Lyon in the first leg (goal from Darius Olaru). They average 1.54 goals scored and 1.23 conceded per game away in Liga I, needing a miracle at Groupama Stadium.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Olympique Lyonnais 5W, FCSB 0W, 1D (6 meetings since 2006)

• Recent Meeting:
  March 6, 2025: FCSB 1-3 Olympique Lyonnais (Europa League, Round of 16, First Leg)

• Key Trend: Lyon are unbeaten in all 6 H2Hs; 67% of meetings saw over 2.5 goals. Lyon’s 3-1 first-leg win adds to their dominance, having won 2-0 at home in the 2008/09 Champions League group stage. Matches average 2.83 goals, with Lyon’s 2-1 home win in November 2006 showing their Groupama edge, though FCSB’s away goal keeps them alive.

Key Players to Watch

Olympique Lyonnais

• Malick Fofana (FWD): 6 goals in Europa League; first-leg brace hero.

• Alexandre Lacazette (FWD): 9 goals, 3 assists in Ligue 1; key finisher.

• Lucas Perri (GK): 5 clean sheets in Ligue 1; vital in goal.

FCSB

• Darius Olaru (MID): 5 goals in Europa Conference League; first-leg scorer.

• Florinel Coman (FWD): 7 goals, 4 assists in Liga I; attacking threat.

• Ștefan Târnovanu (GK): 6 clean sheets in Liga I; under pressure.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Lyon’s 4-3-3 (2.25 goals per game in UEL) relies on Fofana’s pace and Lacazette’s finishing, likely controlling play with 55% possession at home, with no major injuries reported. FCSB’s 4-3-3 (1.88 goals per game in UEL) leans on Olaru’s creativity and Coman’s flair, needing to push with 45% possession away, despite injuries to Lixandru, Popescu, and Pantea (all out). Groupama Stadium’s 59,186 fans will back Lyon, suggesting a game where Lyon’s lead and home form could secure progression, though FCSB may score.

Prediction: Olympique Lyonnais vs FCSB

Our Prediction: Olympique Lyonnais to Win

TIP 2: Team Corner - Over 2.5 (Team 2)

TIP 3: Result/both teams to score - Home/No