Match Preview

Javi Calleja has been doing well with the Yellow Submarine in 2018, ahead of our Lyon vs Villarreal CF preview and football odds, but this knockout tie is a huge test given that the home side are similarly looking strong in their own domestic league.

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Lyon are well in the race for second place in Ligue 1, with Marseille and Monaco in close proximity, but the hosts certainly have the tools to do damage to a Villarreal side that are lacking reserves in defence. Daniele Bonera has been called into action more regularly than would be desired of late.

Our Lyon vs Villarreal CF predictions back the home side to cause the opposition plenty of problems at the back, but similarly Calleja’s men have the quality in attack to cause a problem on the break heading into our Europa League tips.

Lyon have lost just one of their last 18 home games in all competitions, with their form at the Groupama Stadium definitely being something of a fortress. Villarreal will be realistic and not target a victory in France, but instead try and set up a favourable situation to return to La Ceramica in.

Lyon vs Villarreal CF Prediction and Betting Advice

Lyon have scored in their last five consecutive home games in all competitions, with their home form definitely a big point in their favour. Whether it has been in Ligue 1 action or in the Europa League, they have looked a consistent threat in front of goal down to the array of excellent forward-thinking talent that they possess.

Betfair offer the best odds on both teams hitting the back of the net in France, as the pair both are slick moving forwards in possession. Carlos Bacca has been looking extremely sharp for Villarreal over the last month, with the Yellow Submarine not hurt from the January departure of top scorer Cedric Bakambu.

Memphis Depay and Mariano Diaz have both been scoring important goals, with the main man Nabil Fekir never to be ignored. Villarreal scored three goals on the road against Astana, as well as two versus Slavia Prague in the Czech Republic, showing that European journeys don’t phase them.

Our Lyon vs Villarreal CF bets back Nabil Fekir to be a key man for Lyon yet again. The France international has scored 16 goals in Ligue 1 already this season and has found the back of the net against both Apollon and Everton in the Europa League during the previous stages of the current tournament.

Unibet offer the best odds on the Frenchman scoring anytime on Thursday evening, with his creativity, trickery and dead-ball talents sure to make him a huge threat for Villarreal to try and deal with. The visitors lack a yard of pace at the back and Fekir should be capable of making the most of that to pounce on loose balls and locate pockets of space to operate in.

Our Lyon vs Villarreal CF betting tips suggest that the hosts should be confident of scoring goals and putting on an entertaining contest on home soil, but Villarreal should similarly feel as though they will be capable of snatching an important away goal.