Maccabi Tel Aviv will host Olympique Lyonnais in a crucial Europa League fixture at TSC Arena in Serbia on Thursday evening. This match marks an important moment for both teams as they aim to improve their standings in the tournament.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Current Situation
Maccabi Tel Aviv sits in a challenging position within the group stage, ranked third from the bottom. They had a disappointing match against Aston Villa, losing 2-0 on matchday four. With just one point from four matches, their chances of advancing are dwindling.
The Israeli club has struggled recently, suffering three consecutive losses in the Europa League. They are currently four points shy of a spot in the knockout rounds, and seven points away from securing a place in the last 16 automatically.
In their last few games, Maccabi managed to net only one goal, the lowest in the tournament, while conceding eight goals across their previous two matches. To reignite their hopes in this competition, they need a more productive offensive performance. A victory against Lyon would be their first league win this season.
Lyon’s Performance Overview
Olympique Lyonnais enters this match after a rare setback, losing their perfect record in the group stage. Their recent 2-0 defeat against Real Betis marked the first time they failed to score and concede in the current tournament.
Lyon is on a five-match winless streak, struggling offensively in three of those matches. Despite these challenges, they remain in contention for an automatic place in the last 16, holding onto one of the top spots in the group. Historically, Lyon has maintained a strong record in group stage encounters, particularly when scoring first.
Team News and Lineups
Maccabi Tel Aviv made a slight adjustment to their lineup, bringing in Helio Varela to replace Kervin Andrade in their match against Aston Villa. The only goal scorer this season for Maccabi, Sayed Abu Farchi, looks to lead the team in a turnaround.
For Lyon, several players are on the injury list. Orel Mangala and Ernest Nuamah are confirmed out, while Malick Fofana and Ruben Kluivert are dealing with ankle injuries. Rachid Ghezzal’s participation is uncertain due to hamstring concerns. Pavel Sulc, who recently returned from injury, might bolster the squad’s lineup on Thursday.
Possible Starting Lineups
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | Olympique Lyonnais |
|---|---|
| Mishpati | Greif |
| Asante | Maitland-Niles |
| Shlomo | Mata |
| Heitor | Niakhate |
| Revivo | Abner |
| Madmon | Morton |
| Sissokho | De Carvalho |
| Noy | Sulc |
| Varela | Karabec |
| Peretz | Satriano |
| Andrade | Molebe |
Match Prediction
The match is expected to be competitive, with Maccabi Tel Aviv aiming to break their winless streak. For Lyon, the goal will be to end their own five-match winless run while maintaining their position in the tournament.
Experts predict a tight contest, with a possible scoreline of Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-2 Lyon, considering the latter’s solid defensive record and Maccabi’s recent struggles.
