Lyon have not qualified for the UEFA Champions League since enjoying a run to the semi-final in 2019/20 and they will need to raise their game against Sparta Prague if they are to end their wait.
Les Gones trail Sparta Prague 2-1 after losing away in the first leg of this third-round qualifier but they may believe that they can turn things around at the Groupama Stadium.
Paulo Fonseca’s side showed their quality in last season’s Europa League, winning seven of their eight matches to top the League Phase of the competition.
The Ligue 1 side crashed out against Celta Vigo in the round of 16 but they have more European pedigree than Sparta, who lost at the same stage of last season’s Conference League to AZ Alkmaar.
Sparta did make the main draw of the UEFA Champions League in the 2024/25 campaign but they picked up only four points from their eight games, leaking 21 goals and suffering a defeat to French side Brest.
Lyon v Sparta Prague Tips Summary
Best Bet - Lyon to qualify @ 8/15
Alternative Bet - Corentin Tolisso anytime goalscorer @ 7/5
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Corentin Tolisso anytime goalscorer & Over 10 corners @ 17/2
Lyon v Sparta Prague Prediction
Best Bet: Lyon to qualify @ 8/15
Lyon took a fortuitous lead on the stroke of half-time in Prague thanks to Martin Suchomel’s own goal, but a quickfire double from Matej Rynes and John Mercado turned the tie on its head.
Corentin Tolisso missed a penalty in between those two goals for Sparta which is a blow but it should ensure they are fully focused on matters in hand at home.
The Czech side are a formidable force at home but on the road they are far less dependable and have already lost their opening two away games in the Czech top flight, going down 3-1 at Brno and 2-0 at Mlada Boleslav.
So Lyon, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and should strip fitter from the first leg, will still fancy their chances of qualifying.
Les Gones have seen Afonso Moreira move to Bayer Leverkusen but they have done some shrewd business and do not appear any weaker than last season.
Alternative Bet: Corentin Tolisso anytime goalscorer @ 7/5
Having missed a penalty in the first-leg defeat, Tolisso will be keen to make amends and he was Lyon’s leading scorer last season with 15 goals in 39 appearances.
Tolisso scored 11 goals in 26 starts in Ligue 1 while his seven appearances in the Europa League yielded four goals.
The Frenchman had three shots in the opening leg loss, the most of any Lyon player, and he had five touches in Sparta Prague’s box to suggest that chances should again fall his way.
Lyon v Sparta Prague Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Corentin Tolisso anytime goalscorer
Over 10 corners
Pays 17/2
The first leg was an entertaining encounter with Sparta prevailing 2-1 and that means both teams have scored in five of the seven rivalries between the sides since 2004.
The goals should flow again and Tolisso, having scored 15 goals in 39 appearances last season, looks the leading candidate for Lyon in their bid to respond to the first-leg setback.
In the Czech capital there were 15 corners and Lyon’s need to attack should ensure that there are plenty more in France.
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Key Match Stats
Lyon have won three of their last four competitive home games
Lyon have won all three home meetings with Sparta Prague
Sparta Prague have lost their last four away matches
Six of the seven meetings between these sides have gone over 2.5 goals
Both teams have scored in four of Sparta’s last five outings
Lyon have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight home fixtures
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
