Lyon vs Manchester United predictions: Goals on the cards in France
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- Ten of Lyon’s last 11 matches have had over 2.5 goals
- Both teams have scored in eight of United's 10 Europa League games this season
- Recommended bet: Over 2.5 goals
Manchester United are relying on the Europa League to save them from the embarrassment of a disappointing season, but they are in for a stern test in the first leg of their quarter-final up against a lively Lyon outfit.
The Red Devils are on course for a bottom-half finish in the Premier League so Europe has taken over as the main focus and they are the only side still in the competition yet to suffer defeat.
Ruben Amorim's team eased past Real Sociedad 5-2 on aggregate in the last 16 and, while performances are improving, they should expect a tough challenge of their credentials at the Groupama Stadium.
That is because Lyon are in flying form, having won eight of their last 10 matches, and they enjoyed a 7-1 aggregate rout of FCSB in the previous round.
Team news
Lyon winger Ernest Nuamah has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining an ACL injury in the weekend win over Lille and he joins Malick Fofana on the sidelines.
Croatian defender Duje Caleta-Car is a doubt but Nemanja Matic is in line to face his former club.
For Manchester United, Lisandro Martinez, Amad Diallo, Ayden Heaven and Jonny Evans are all out, while Matthijs de Ligt and Kobbie Mainoo face late fitness tests.
Luke Shaw is again available for selection but is unlikely to replace Patrick Dorgu at left-back.
The stats
Lyon have won eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions and they have lost only two of their last 16 matches at the Groupama Stadium.
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Manchester United are the only unbeaten side in the Europa League this season, winning six and drawing four of their 10 matches.
The Red Devils have lost only one of their last nine matches in 90 minutes.
Both teams have scored in eight of Manchester United's 10 Europa League matches this season.
Both teams have scored in five of Lyon's last seven Europa League outings.
Prediction
Lyon have been in a rich vein of form at home, with their only defeat in their last 13 coming in a 3-2 reverse to Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, so claiming a first-leg lead looks a tall order for Manchester United.
That said, the Red Devils' performances are steadily on the rise and they have served up a lot of high-scoring games in Europe this season.
Lyon have scored at least twice in each of their last 11 matches, so their firepower speaks for itself, but only three clean sheets in their last 13 fixtures shows that they can also be exposed.
United have seen both teams score in eight of their 10 Europa League matches this season and with the fiery Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings they are always going to carry some sort of threat in what looks like being a tightly-contested first leg in France.
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