Lyon vs. FC Porto Predictions: The French side to qualify in a tussle of two established European sides

We’re into the second leg of a tie that wouldn’t look out of place in the Champions League. After a 1-0 win in Portugal, Lyon host Porto at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais.

Lyon will surely have all their eggs in the Europa League basket, with a disappointing Ligue 1 season leaving them in 10th as it stands. Manager Peter Bosz could potentially name the same starting XI for the third game in a row, so we’re going to predict one of our tips off the back of that.

As for Porto, the ever-aggressive Pepe missed their game at the weekend following a brutal clash of heads in the reverse leg of this tie. Wendell could return in at left-back for the Portuguese side, and they could themselves name an unchanged midfield and forward line for the third game in a row. We’ve looked ahead to the last 16 game, and put together two tips.

First of all, we’re looking at Lyon to win and both teams to score in the game. As previously mentioned, Lyon aren’t in great form when it comes to domestic football, but in the Europa League they’ve been a different prospect this season. They’re currently unbeaten in the competition this campaign, winning six and drawing one of their seven games, with this bet landing in two of their six group games.

Of their last three domestic wins, this bet has landed twice, and I think as Porto look for a leveller in a tie, they should get one, but the French side should have enough to see them through.

Next up, we’re looking at Lyon’s right-back Leo Dubois to make his way into the referee’s book. Dubois was brought off in the reverse fixture of this game, after being booked for dissent in the second half. He’s Lyon’s joint-most carded player in the Europa League, picking up two bookings in one of his two starts, and the other after coming off the bench with 15 to go.

Only three players have been booked more than Dubois for Lyon when it comes to their own league action, and the price of 4/1 with Unibet was a lot more enticing than 10/3 with Bet365, or 14/5 with Betfair.

As ever, good luck if you’re following these bets, and please gamble responsibly.