Lyon vs Basel Prediction: Another home win for Les Gones

Lyon have won their opening two matches in the Uefa Europa League and they will look to make it three when they host Basel at Groupama Stadium on Thursday (17:45 BST, TNT Sports 8).

The visitors defeated VfB Stuttgart at home last time out in Europe, having been beaten at SC Freiburg on matchday one. Below you will find my Lyon vs Basel predictions, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Lyon will be without the services of Orel Mangala and Ernest Nuamah against Basel as they both recuperate from cruciate ligament injuries. Remy Descamps is dealing with a sore wrist and is considered a doubt for Thursday.

Martin Satriano and Ruben Kluivert scored in their triumph at home to Salzburg on matchday two, while goalkeeper Dominik Greif has yet to concede in the Europa League. All three are set to play key roles for the hosts in this clash.

Football Odds

Basel have a couple of concerns themselves for this game as Finn van Breemen has a fitness issue, while Japanese defender Keigo Tsunemoto is currently dealing with a muscle strain.

Albian Ajeti gave them the perfect start against Stuttgart scoring in the third minute of the match, while former Lyon man Xherdan Shaqiri wrapped up the three points, and both will line up against Les Gones.

Today's Football Fixtures

Lyon vs Basel Odds

Lyon are 4/7 to come out on top on Thursday and Les Gones have won their first two European fixtures this term. Both games saw them keep a clean sheet and the hosts are 2/1 (implied probability of 33.3%) to win to nil.

Both teams to score No is priced at 5/4 while it's 13/8 for a Lyon clean sheet.

The draw is valued at 10/3 while Basel are 9/2 to come away with the victory.

Lyon and under 2.5 goals @ 18/5

Lyon may have suffered back-to-back defeats in Ligue 1 but they have started their Europa League campaign brilliantly, and this clash with Basel gives them a chance to get back on track, particularly with it being on home turf where they have mostly been resolute so far.

Their Swiss opponents are likely going to be feeling confident after taking down Stuttgart last time out but this will be a difficult task given how good the hosts can be at shutting out their opponents.

Lyon's structure across the pitch is to be admired and it makes it difficult for teams to break them down. There are things that can be improved in the final third but often enough, a goal or two is enough for them to win.

That's why I like the look of Lyon and under 2.5 goals for my first selection, as it has been a successful bet in six of Les Gones' seven victories across all competitions this season

Lyon clean sheet @ 13/8

Backing a home clean sheet seems appropriate for my second pick because all seven of Lyon's victories this term have been accompanied by a clean sheet. The hosts have mostly been a well-organised defensive unit, and the bulk of their shutouts have come on home soil (four).

Basel may have found the net in their last two Europa League fixtures but I think they will find Thursday's clash difficult against a stubborn defence.

Offers