Lyon vs Sparta Praha — Tips & Analysis

Lyon -1.25: Lyon have to come out and attack, and that is the heart of this pick. They lost the first leg 1-2 in Prague, so only a two-goal win takes them through inside 90 minutes. Expect them to push bodies forward from the first whistle. Lyon have had 7 days to get ready for it. Sparta have had 3, and they lost 2-0 at Mlada Boleslav in that game. Sparta also arrive without four senior players, including Roman Macek and Patrik Vydra. That is a heavy load for a side that will spend the night defending its own box. Sparta are no pushovers. They have won 10 of their last 15 games and score almost 2 goals a game, so they will carry a threat on the break. Lyon have the players to break a deep block down, and they have won 2 of the last 3 meetings between the clubs. Our read of the night is a 2-1 Lyon win, so we want one more goal than that. It is well within reach. Tired legs and missing men tend to give way late, and Lyon should have the ball for long spells. The doubt is a fair one. Lyon have won by 2 or more goals in only 2 of their last 14 games, so a clear win is not their habit. We are with them to manage it tonight.