/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F12%2Fcelta-vigo-2-69404272554d4869253031.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "Preview: Celta Vigo vs Lyon – prediction, team news, lineups
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Facing each other for the first time on the European stage, Celta Vigo host Lyon in Balaídos, in the Spanish community of Galicia, for the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday.
Thanks to a pair of one-goal wins over PAOK in the playoff phase, the Spaniards were able to advance, while Lyon finished at the top of the League Phase standings, earning an automatic place in the round of 16.
Match preview
A pair of close victories against a well-structured and disciplined Greek team have taken Celta Vigo to the round of 16 of this tournament for the first time since 2016-17.
Four of the five previous competitive matches played by Claudio Giraldez’s men have been decided by a single goal, with Vigo winning on three of those occasions.
They will come into this competition unbeaten in their last four Europa League games, dropping points only once in that stretch (1-1 draw at Red Star Belgrade).
At the same time, four of their five home games in this tournament ended with Celta winning, although three of their four competitive losses in 2026 also occurred in Belaidos.
Thursday will mark their first knockout match in this competition since reaching the semi-finals of the 2016-17 Europa League, with their only two knockout defeats in that edition coming at home.
The Celestes have a 100% record against French opposition in the Europa League, defeating Lille and Nice at home in the League Phase this season 2-1.
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© Iconsport / Nikola Kristic
After a near-perfect league phase, Olympique Lyonnais returns to European action this week, although they have struggled domestically of late.
Paulo Fonseca’s men won seven of their eight matches in the previous phase of this tournament, but will go into Thursday’s action without a win in their last four competitive matches.
This is the second time in a row that they have reached this stage of the Europa League, while this team has only been eliminated once in their five previous round of 16 appearances, losing to CSKA Moscow in 2018.
Lyon have not lost any of their six previous Europa League knockout games away from home in normal time, with that only defeat coming at Old Trafford against Manchester United in a heartbreaking extra-time quarter-final second leg last season.
Their only defeat in the competition this season came in Spain against Real Betis in November (2-0), although they have never lost a knockout match against a La Liga rival in the Europa League.
Celta Vigo’s form in the Europa League:
Celta de Vigo form (all competitions):
Lyon Europa League Form:
Lyon form (all competitions):
Team news
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© Iconsport / Pedro Mina / PRESIN
Heading into this match, Celta Vigo are relatively healthy, with only one injury to report, as Pablo Durán Fernández is still dealing with a knee ligament issue, leaving him in doubt for Thursday.
Williot Swedberg scored two of his three goals in the playoff tie, including the winner in the second leg at home, while Ionut Radu didn’t have to make a single save to keep a clean sheet.
At Lyon, Afonso Moreira and Pavel Sulc have hamstring strains, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has adductor soreness, Malick Fofana is recovering from ankle soreness, Ruben Kluivert is dealing with a muscle problem and Ernest Nuamah will be sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury.
Remi Stéphane Himbert, Khalis Merah, Adam Karabec and Alejandro Gomes Rodríguez scored in their previous Europa League win over PAOK (4-2), the latter on loan to Ligue 2 side Annecy in early February.
Possible starting lineup for Celta Vigo:
Radu; Rodríguez, Starfelt, Alonso, Carreira; Neighbor; Aspas, Moriba; Rueda, Iglesias, Swedberg
Lyon’s possible starting lineup:
Greif; Mata, Niakhate, Hateboer; Tagliafico, Tessmann, Nartey, Abner; Karabec, Tolisso; Yaremchuk
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We say: Celta Vigo 0-0 Lyon
Patience is a virtue, and both teams show a lot of that and are very disciplined defensively, so we anticipate that this opening match will be more of a matter of feel between the two.
For a data analysis of the most likely results, scores and more for this match, click here.