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Olympique Lyon will host Everton in Group E of the Europa League, with the two teams going in opposite directions at the moment.
Lyon is playing some very good football this season, sitting on the 3rd place in Ligue 1 and on the 2nd place in this Europa League Group F with 5 points in 3 games, two points behind Atalanta. The French side lost top scorer Lacazette to Arsenal, but did well to replace him with the excellent Mariano from Real Madrid, and Depay (signed in the Winter) has been a great addition to the offense as well. Lyon won their last 4 matches in all competitions with a 12-3 goal difference.
Everton is in complete disarray at the moment, sitting on the last place in the Europa League group and on the 18th spot in England. The Toffees have lost 4 consecutive games, allowing 2 or more goals in each of the losses, and are playing under interim manager David Unsworth after sacking Ronald Koeman a couple of weeks ago. With just 1 point gained in this EL group, anything else but a win would see Everton virtually knocked out.
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Lyon will miss Grenier, Cheickh and possibly Mendy. Everton is decimated ahead of this match, missing Bolasie, Keane, McCarthy, Barkley, Fuenes Mori, Niase and Coleman due to injury, while Rooney, Jagielka and Baines have been left home to rest.
Olympique Lyon: Lopes – Rafael, Marcelo, Diakhaby, Marcal – Tousart, Ndombele – Traore, Fekir, Depay – Mariano
Everton: Pickford – Kenny, Holgate, Williams, Martina – Baningime, Schneiderlin – Vlasic, Sigurdsson, Mirallas – Calvert-Lewin
Sacking Koemen hasn`t done much good for Everton so far, as they haven`t improved under David Unsworth and their defense continues to be a massive issue. That is not good news for Everton against an excellent offensive side like Lyon.
With a huge list of injuries and a number of key players left at home, it`s hard to see Everton putting up much of a fight at such a tough ground like Groupama Stadium, against such a good team like Lyon. In all honesty the Europa League is the last priority for the Toffees right now, as shown in their previous matches. They are definitely more focused to sort out their situation in the Premier League.
Lyon won two weeks ago 2-1 in Liverpool, and they should get another three points in the reverse leg – which would mean a big step towards qualification and would keep the fight for the top spot open with Atalanta. It`s fair to say that Europa League means more for Lyon, particularly at this moment, and they will be the more motivated team coming into this clash.
Look for Lyon’s versatile offense to have a field day against a defensively challenged Everton side, which also has to field a makeshift back four. The matchup between Lyon`s offense and Everton’s defense, home court advantage, form and motivation are all key arguments in favor of the French team.
My tip on this clash is Olympique Lyon to win, and I`m satisfied to take the straight victory as opposed to getting greedy with handicaps. The over 2.5 goals might also be a good option at slightly higher odds, but it could become a problematic bet if Everton doesn`t score – which is definitely possible. Prediction: Olympique Lyon – Everton 3-1.
Pick: Lyon
Odds: 1.50
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 4
Event date: 2 November
