The first leg of the 2025/26 Europa League round of 16 tie between Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D. (Spain) and Olympique Lyonnais (France) will take place on 12 March at Balaidos in Vigo. Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D. vs Olympique Lyonnais: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D.
Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D. failed to secure a direct place in the round of 16, but in the play-off ties they came through PAOK with little fuss. The home side beat the Greeks both at home and away, even if both victories were by the narrowest of margins. Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D.'s unbeaten run in the Europa League now stands at four matches, and only one of those ended level. It is worth noting that the club have scored in every game of the current European campaign, although prior to the most recent match against PAOK the hosts had been unable to keep a clean sheet in five consecutive Europa League fixtures. Now the team will feature in the round of 16 for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
- Eight of Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D.'s last 10 Europa League matches have gone over the total.
- The club's uncompromising run on home soil in this competition stands at nine matches (six wins, three defeats).
- Both teams scored in six of the Spaniards' last eight home Europa League games.
Potential Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D. Lineup (3-4-3)*
Andrei Radu – Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Javi Rodriguez – Javier Rueda, Matias Vecino, Ilaix Moriba, Sergio Carreira – Williot Swedberg, Iago Aspas, Borja Iglesias.
Pablo Duran's involvement is in doubt.
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais produced the best record of any side in the Europa League league phase. Across eight matchdays, the club recorded seven wins and took 21 points from a possible 24. Aston Villa collected the same total, but Olympique Lyonnais finished above the English side on goal difference to top the final standings. Their only dropped points came in early November away at Real Betis (0:2). Since then, the away team have won four straight European matches. It is also worth noting that in the league phase the visitors shared top spot with Midtjylland for total goals scored (18). As for goals conceded (5), only two clubs had a better record.
- Olympique Lyonnais have avoided defeat in 90 minutes in 16 of their last 17 Europa League matches (11 wins, five draws).
- The team scored in 12 of their last 13 matches in this competition.
- At least two goals were scored in six of Olympique Lyonnais' last seven Europa League games.
Potential Olympique Lyonnais Lineup (4-3-3)*
Remy Deschamps – Ruben Kluivert, Clinton Mata, Moussa Niakate, Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Tyler Morton, Khalis Merah, Mathis de Carvalho – Adam Karabec, Afonso Moreira, Remy Imbert.
Due to injuries, defenders Ruben Kluivert and Ainsley Maitland-Niles, midfielder Pavel Sulc, and forwards Ernest Nuamah, Malick Fofana and Afonso Moreira are unavailable.
Referee
Erik Lambrechts (Belgium)
Matches – 10 (international matches, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 28;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.8;
Red cards shown – 2;
Fouls per match on average – 20;
Penalties – 50%.
Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D. vs Olympique Lyonnais: Match Prediction
Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D. came through the play-off round with confidence. The club now have just two defeats across their last nine Europa League matches, with two-thirds of those games ending in victory. The current unbeaten run for the hosts has reached four European fixtures. On home soil in this season's Europa League, the team have won four of their last five matches. All of that sounds very solid, but now Real Club Celta de Vigo S. A. D. face a battle with one of the Europa League's leading favourites.
Olympique Lyonnais finished first in the league phase of the tournament, and across eight games the club dropped points only once. Overall, excluding extra time, the away team have lost just one of their last 17 matches in this competition. Even looking strictly at away results, the visitors have not been beaten in 90 minutes in 16 of their last 17 Europa League games (12 wins, four draws). Ahead of the trip to Vigo, Olympique Lyonnais put together a four-match winning run in this tournament, including home fixtures.
The visitors have a decent chance of once again avoiding defeat.
Prediction: Olympique Lyonnais, double chance
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their previous match in this competition.
