BETTING GUIDE: Real Betis Vs Olympique Lyon, match preview ,team news and prediction
Reading Time: 5min | Wed. 05.11.25. | 23:46
Both teams are in good domestic form, setting up what should be one of the standout fixtures of Matchday Four.
Real Betis will look to extend their strong home record in Europe when they welcome French giants, Lyon, to the Estadio de La Cartuja, on Thursday night, for a crucial UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase clash.
The Spanish side are unbeaten so far in this competition (W1, D2), while Lyon are one of only three teams boasting a perfect 100% record after three games - and remarkably, they have yet to concede a goal.
Both teams are in good domestic form, setting up what should be one of the standout fixtures of Matchday Four.
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Real Betis have found their rhythm again under Manuel Pellegrini after a brief dip in form earlier this month.
A 3–0 win over Mallorca in La Liga at the weekend followed a 7–1 demolition of Atlético Palma Del Río in the Copa del Rey - an attacking surge that has restored confidence within the camp.
The Spanish side are now fifth in La Liga and unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions (W3, D2), while at home,under have lost just once in their last 11 European matches (W5, D5, L1).
In Europe, Betis opened their UEL campaign with a 2–2 home draw against Nottingham Forest before following that up with a 2–0 away win over Ludogorets Razgrad.
Their most recent outing ended in a goalless draw away to Basel, keeping their unbeaten record intact and extending a streak of two consecutive clean sheets in continental play.
With five points from three games, Betis currently sit 16th in the overall league-phase standings - just one point outside the top-eight qualifying zone.
A win here could propel them into a strong position ahead of their next home match against Utrecht.
Lyon, on the other hand, have been near-perfect in this competition so far.
The French club began their Europa League campaign with a narrow 1–0 win at Utrecht before recording back-to-back home victories - 2–0 against Red Bull Salzburg and 2–0 against Basel.
That run has not only given them a maximum of nine points but also established them as the only side yet to concede in the competition.
Their consistency under manager Paulo Fonseca has been built on defensive structure, ball retention, and transitional control, reminiscent of Lyon’s vintage European discipline.
Domestically, OL are sixth in Ligue 1, four points adrift of leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
They were held to a goalless draw at Brest last weekend despite going down to ten men early in the match, showing both resilience and tactical organisation.
Fonseca’s side are unbeaten in four matches across all competitions (W2, D2) and have not lost a European away fixture in their last 12 outings over 90 minutes - an impressive streak that underlines their continental pedigree.
This fixture revives a European rivalry last seen during the 2013/14 Europa League group stage, when Lyon went unbeaten in both meetings (W1, D1).
Historically, Lyon have enjoyed facing Spanish opposition in the competition - they are unbeaten in their last six such encounters (W5, D1).
Betis, conversely, have never beaten the French club in official competition and will be determined to change that narrative in front of their passionate home crowd.
Manuel Pellegrini faces a few selection headaches ahead of this game.
Key playmaker Isco remains sidelined with a fracture in his left fibula, while left-back Junior Firpo is ruled out.
Forward Chimy Ávila missed the weekend’s win due to illness but could make the squad, while Ricardo Rodríguez was withdrawn at halftime against Mallorca and remains a doubt.
On the positive side, winger Antony - who scored and assisted in that 3–0 win - continues to thrive, with five goals and two assists already this season.
Expect him to be Betis’ main attacking outlet once again, supported by Pablo Fornals in an advanced role.
For Lyon, injuries have disrupted what has otherwise been a smooth European campaign.
Midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who netted the winner against Utrecht, suffered an early injury in the draw against Brest and is likely to miss out.
Malick Fofana and Angel Gomes Rodriguez are also unavailable, while captain Corentin Tolisso remains a doubt after limping off late in that same fixture.
However, Lyon can still call on Pavel Šulc, who has scored in each of his last two away appearances and assisted in their recent European win.
His link-up play with striker Alexandre Lacazette will be central to Lyon’s attack in Seville.
Betis will aim to dictate possession and build through their midfield triangle of Giovanni Lo Celso,Pablo Fornals, and Sofyan Amrabat, using the width provided by full-backs Rodriguez and Héctor Bellerín to stretch Lyon’s back line.
The Andalusian side’s recent scoring form (ten goals in their last two matches) suggests they will approach this contest with attacking intent, but Pellegrini will also be wary of Lyon’s disciplined defensive transitions.
Fonseca’s side prefer a compact 4-2-3-1 shape out of possession, pressing selectively in midfield zones and maintaining vertical compactness.
Their defensive organisation has been exemplary - Lyon are yet to concede in Europe this season and have allowed only five shots on target across three matches.
Offensively, they rely on sharp interplay and late runs from midfielders like Šulc and Moreira, while Lacazette’s experience provides a focal point in attack.
The midfield battle could be decisive.
If Betis manage to control rhythm through Rodríguez’s distribution and Lo Celso’s creativity between the lines, they could stretch Lyon’s defensive block.
Conversely, Lyon’s counterattacking pace and set-piece precision could expose Betis’ occasional defensive lapses, particularly in transition when their full-backs push high.
Key Pointers
Betis are yet to lose in the league phase but have drawn two of their three games.
Lyon have won all three of their matches in this league phase.
Lyon are yet to concede a goal in the league phase.
Lyon are unbeaten in their last four matches.
Both teams come into this fixture with strong defensive numbers, but also with attacking form that suggests potential for goals.
Betis have scored in eight of their last nine home games, while Lyon have scored in 11 of their last 12 European outings.
However, Lyon’s defensive record - three clean sheets in three Europa League games - highlights their stability under Fonseca.
Betis’ home advantage and attacking quality should still see them break that run, but it’s unlikely to be a high-scoring affair.
This could be a closely contested tactical battle between two in-form sides. Betis’ attacking momentum and home atmosphere could help them edge Lyon’s defensive discipline, but the visitors’ consistency cannot be ignored.
Prediction; Over 2.5 Goals
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