Lyon vs Celta: prediction, H2H and probable line-ups — 19 March 2026
The second leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 between Olympique Lyonnais and RC Celta de Vigo promises to be one of the most intense showdowns at this stage of the tournament.
- See also: Metz vs Toulouse: prediction, head-to-head and probable line-ups – 15 March 2026
Key match facts and head-to-head history:
- The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw.
- This will be only the third meeting between these teams in history.
- Lyon have never beaten Celta in their history.
- Lyon are winless in their last six matches.
- Celta have lost just one of their last five games.
Match preview:
The first leg in Spain ended 1-1, so both teams come into the return fixture with almost equal chances of reaching the quarter-finals.
In the opening match, both sides displayed a cautious yet high-intensity style of football. Celta aimed to control possession and build pressure through positional attacks, while Lyon relied on quick transitions from defense to attack, skillfully exploiting open spaces. In the end, both teams found the net, leaving all the intrigue for the decider.
Now, the French club will benefit from home advantage, which could play a crucial role. On their own turf, Lyon traditionally play with more confidence and look to press high, often creating a flurry of chances at the visitors' goal.
At the same time, Celta showed in the first leg that they can compete confidently against French opposition and create danger in the final third. The Spanish side will likely approach the game with greater pragmatism, looking to control the tempo and capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities.
All in all, the return leg promises to be a tactical and tense affair: Lyon will try to feed off the energy of their home crowd and take the initiative, while Celta will strive to dictate the pace and punish any mistakes from the hosts. With the first match ending in a draw, everything is still up for grabs, setting the stage for a captivating European night for the fans.
Probable line-ups:
- Olympique Lyonnais: Greif, Hateboer, Tessmann, Niakhaté, Tagliafico, Nartey, Morton, Abner Vinícius, Tolisso, Endrick, Yaremchuk.
- Celta Vigo: Radu, Rodríguez, Aidoo, Domínguez, Carreira, López, Sotelo, Mingueza, Durán, Iglesias, Álvarez.
Match prediction:
The first encounter ended 1-1, and it was clear that both teams are capable of regularly creating dangerous chances. Heading into the second leg, the tie is wide open, so it’s unlikely either side will play purely defensively. Lyon will surely try to take the initiative at home and push forward, increasing their chances of finding the net. Meanwhile, Celta are adept at exploiting open spaces and can threaten on the break, especially when the opposition pushes numbers forward. With this scenario, we could see an open game and the likelihood of both teams scoring looks quite high.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes.
