Lyon v Crystal Palace: Preview, expected line-ups, stats and where to watch

Where to Watch Lyon v Crystal Palace: TV and online streams

Lyon versus Crystal Palace kicks off at 5:45pm BST (6:45pm local time) on Thursday, October 15 at the Groupama Stadium.

The match is live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK. In the US, it’s on Paramount+ at 12:45pm ET.

Preview for Lyon v Crystal Palace

Pierre Sage knows the Groupama Stadium better than most. On Thursday evening, the man who rescued Lyon from relegation trouble in 2024 returns to his old club as manager of Crystal Palace, with both sides looking to make it two wins from two in the Europa League league phase.

Sage took charge of Lyon in November 2023 and led a remarkable turnaround, before John Textor sacked him in January 2025. He went on to win the Coupe de France with Lens and was named Ligue 1 Manager of the Year last season, and in June he succeeded Oliver Glasner at Selhurst Park.

His early months in south London have been difficult, but Palace are finding their feet. They have won four and drawn one of their last six games in all competitions, and their first-ever Europa League game was a statement, as they thrashed Polish champions Lech Poznań 4-0.

Sunday’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest was another sign of progress, and it came against Glasner on his first return to Selhurst Park. Dan Ndoye gave Forest the lead inside three minutes, but Daichi Kamada levelled with his first league goal for the club, Jefferson Lerma headed Palace in front in first-half stoppage time, and Yeremy Pino wrapped it up just before the hour. It was Palace’s first home league win of the season.

The worry for Sage is form on the road. Palace have won only one of their last eight away games in all competitions, drawing two and losing five.

Lyon opened their European campaign with a 2-1 win at Anderlecht despite Paulo Fonseca making eight changes, but they head into this one on the back of a damaging weekend. They were beaten 2-1 at Lens on Friday, a result that knocked them off the Ligue 1 podium, and they lost their in-form striker Loïs Openda in the process.

Europa League Table

Team News for Lyon v Crystal Palace

Openda fractured his fibula after a collision with Ismaëlo Ganiou at Lens. The Belgian striker is expected to be out for at least a month, and Fonseca admitted his absence leaves a big gap. “There are no other profiles like Openda,” he said.

Nicolás Tagliafico is also out for around three weeks after picking up an injury on international duty with Argentina, while Mohamed Ouédraogo remains sidelined.

There is some good news for Fonseca. Moussa Niakhaté, who missed the Lens game after returning injured from international duty, is back in the squad after two low-intensity training sessions. Keito Nakamura will also start, Fonseca confirmed.

Without Openda, Fonseca may move away from his usual 4-4-2 diamond. French media suggest Pavel Šulc could be moved back into his role from last season, with Khalis Merah an option as a false nine.

For Palace, Dean Henderson, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Chadi Riad are all unavailable. Mateta has only just returned to full training after a hamstring injury that has kept him out since the opening day.

Axel Disasi is available after serving a domestic suspension, and Ismaïla Sarr is in contention after being named on the bench against Forest.

Expected line-ups for Lyon v Crystal Palace

Lyon: Greif; Athekame, Bacher, Kluivert, Abner; Morton, Bidstrup, Tolisso; Nuamah, Nakamura; Šulc

Crystal Palace: Benítez; Richards, Disasi, Canvot; Khalaili, Wharton, Timber, Mitchell; Kamada, Pino; Strand Larsen

Recent Form & Stats for Lyon v Crystal Palace

• Lyon won 2-1 at Anderlecht on matchday one, while Crystal Palace beat Lech Poznań 4-0 at home.
• Palace have won only one of their last eight away games in all competitions (D2 L5).
• Lyon have won only eight of their 27 previous meetings with English clubs (D10 L9).
• Pierre Sage managed Lyon from November 2023 to January 2025, and recorded one win, one draw and one defeat against them with Lens last season.
• Crystal Palace are the reigning Conference League champions after beating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in the final in May.
• This is the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Prediction for Lyon v Crystal Palace

Palace have the chance to record a memorable win against a French heavyweight. They will need to improve on their weekend performance but the opportunity is there…

Lyon

1 – 1

Crystal Palace

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