The Round 8 match of the group stage of the Europa League 2025/26 between Olympique Lyonnais (France) and PAOK (Greece) will take place on 29 january 2026 at Parc Olympique Lyonnais. Olympique Lyonnais vs PAOK: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Olympique Lyonnais
Olympique Lyonnais' victory in the previous round over Young Boys (1:0) was their sixth in the current edition of the competition (1 defeat). Note that on five occasions the side kept a clean sheet. As a result, the home side shares first place with Braga for the total number of shutouts. Olympique Lyonnais also form a leading duo with Aston Villa in the main standings, edging the English side only on tiebreakers. In addition, the hosts have secured a place in the top eight.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 6 of the home side's previous 7 Europa League matches.
- On home soil in this tournament the side is unbeaten in 7 games (5 wins, 2 draws).
- In 5 of the last 6 home fixtures in the Europa League the club conceded no more than one goal.
Potential Olympique Lyonnais Lineup (4-3-3)*
Remi Descamps – Ruben Kluivert, Clinton Mata, Nicolas Tagliafico, Ainsley Maitland-Niles – Tyler Morton, Halis Mera, Tanner Tessmann – Adam Karabec, Pavel Sulc, Daniel Alfonso.
Defenders Nicolas Tagliafico and forwards Rachid Ghezzal, Pavel Sulc, Ernest Nuamah, Malik Fofana, as well as midfielders Orel Mangala and Corentin Tolisso, are unavailable due to injuries.
PAOK
PAOK's victory over Real Betis (2:0) in the previous round extended the visitors' unbeaten run in the Europa League to 5 matches (3 wins, 2 draws). Note that in 4 matches during this run the side scored at least two goals. With a total of 15 goals, PAOK rank second behind Midtjylland (16). In the main standings PAOK sit only 12th. Nevertheless, the visiting team has secured a place in the play-offs; there is also a chance to finish in the top eight, but that requires taking three points in the final round and waiting for rivals to slip up.
- The Greeks have a scoring streak in the Europa League that spans 6 matches.
- Away in this tournament the visiting team has failed to win in 6 of the last 7 matches (2 draws, 4 defeats).
- In 5 of the last 7 away fixtures in the Europa League the club conceded at least two goals.
Potential PAOK Lineup (4-5-1)*
Antonis Tsifris – Abdul-Rahman Baba, Jonjoe Kenny, Ioannis Michailidis, Tomasz Kedziora – Dimitrios Pelkas, Soualiho Meïté, Andrija Zivkovic, Georgios Giakoumakis, Magomed Ozdoyev – Taison.
Midfielder Luka Ivanusec is injured.
Referee
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (Spain)
Matches – 8 (International fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 23;
Average Yellow Cards Per Match – 2.9;
Red Cards Shown – 2;
Fouls Per Match On Average – 21;
Penalties – 25%.
Olympique Lyonnais vs PAOK: Match Prediction
Both sides have already secured places in the play-offs, so motivation will be the key factor in the head-to-head. The home side can become winners of the group stage, but that brings no significant advantages. Meanwhile, Olympique Lyonnais face an important domestic match against Lille that is crucial for the fight for a Champions League place. For PAOK it is important to climb as high as possible in the table to secure home advantage in the knockout ties.
Half of the visitors' six victories in the Europa League 2025/26 were achieved with a margin larger than one goal. However, one of those opponents was currently bottom-placed Maccabi Tel-Aviv, and the second goal against Basel was scored in added time. The Greeks, meanwhile, have lost only 2 of their last 11 Europa League matches, and in one of those defeats they lost by a single goal.
We believe the visitors can get a point. However, we suggest playing it safe and taking the positive handicap.
Prediction: PAOK (+1)
* The starting lineup shown for each team is the one used in its previous match in this competition.
