2026-27 UEFA Europa League: League Phase – Lyon vs Crystal Palace

Lyon face a difficult test against Crystal Palace in the league phase of the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League. 

Victory would see Lyon leapfrog Palace and move into the top eight, whilst Palace can stay in the top eight with a win.

 

Team News

Moussa Niakhate is available for Lyon after he sat out their 2-1 Ligue 1 loss at Lens due to a hamstring injury.

Lois Openda (fibula), Nicolas Tagliafico (muscle) and Mohamed Ouedraogo (ACL) are sidelined.

Palace will have Axel Disasi available as his ban only applies to domestic matches after he was suspended for their 3-1 comeback win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (calf), Jean-Philippe Mateta (hamstring), Dean Henderson (ankle) and Chadi Riad (knee) are still absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Lyon host Palace at Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Thursday 15 October at 6:45pm CEST (5:45pm BST), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Lyon’s first competitive meeting against Palace in all UEFA competitions.
• Palace are making their first competitive trip to Lyon.
• Lyon have won just one of their nine home matches against English opposition in all UEFA competitions this century (W1, D6, L2).
• Palace lost 2-1 away to Strasbourg in last season’s UEFA Conference League at the league phase stage, which marked their only previous competitive meeting against French opposition.

 

Prediction

Having suffered their first defeat in six matches at Lens, Lyon will be keen to bounce back immediately as they just lacked a clinical final touch until too late in a pretty tight contest so I expect them to be difficult to beat if can just avoid making defensive errors and convert their chances.

Palace meanwhile have found some form now with a three-match unbeaten run although they did have to come from behind against Forest, which actually might give them some confidence because this is going to be a tricky test of their current form.

I however do think that both teams realistically have a point apiece within them if they both play at their best.

Prediction: Lyon 1-1 Crystal Palace