Pierre Sage returns to Lyon with an injury-hit Palace
Crystal Palace travel to the Groupama Stadium to face Olympique Lyon on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the second round of the Europa League league phase. Both sides won on matchday one, Lyon 2-1 at Anderlecht and Palace 4-0 at home to Lech Poznań. The story of the night is in the away dugout: Palace manager Pierre Sage coached Lyon from November 2023 to January 2025 and now returns as the opposition. Kick-off is at 18:45.
“Nous avons sorti le club de l’ornière et lui nous a sorti de l’anonymat.” – Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage on his time at Lyon
Predicted lineups: Lyon vs Palace
Both sides are without their first-choice striker. Lyon have lost Loïs Openda for several weeks with a fibula injury, and Moussa Niakhaté (hamstring) and Mohamed Ouédraogo (knee) are also out, so Pavel Šulc could lead the line. Keito Nakamura, who scored in Anderlecht, is pushing for a recall. Palace are missing Jean-Philippe Mateta (hamstring), captain and goalkeeper Dean Henderson (foot) and Chadi Riad (knee), while Takehiro Tomiyasu is a doubt. Walter Benítez continues in goal and Jørgen Strand Larsen leads the attack.
Olympique Lyon Team News & Preview
Lyon are fourth in Ligue 1 with 11 points from six games and have the joint-best defence in the division, with four goals conceded. Last Friday’s 2-1 defeat at Lens ended a five-game unbeaten run, but before that Paulo Fonseca’s side had beaten Rennes 4-0, with Ernest Nuamah scoring twice.
The European home record is the main reason I like Lyon here. They are unbeaten in 12 home games in the group or league phase of European competitions, with seven wins and five draws since December 2018. They also had six days to prepare after the Lens game, compared with four for Palace.
What works for or against Lyon
- Only four goals conceded in six league games.
- Unbeaten in 12 home games in European group or league phases.
- Without Openda and Niakhaté.
- Lost 2-1 at Lens on Friday, their first defeat in six.
Crystal Palace Team News & Preview
Palace are 12th in the Premier League with seven points from six games and a goal difference of minus three. Sunday’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest was their first home league win under Sage, but it was not a dominant one: Forest led after three minutes and hit the bar before Kamada equalised just before half-time, Lerma headed in from a corner in stoppage time and Pino added a third after the break.
The away form is a concern. Palace have won only one of their last eight away games in all competitions, and three of their last four competitive matches produced at least four goals. Without Mateta and Henderson, they also lose their main goal threat and their captain.
What works for or against Palace
- Came from behind to beat Forest 3-1 on Sunday.
- Won 4-0 against Lech on matchday one.
- One win in their last eight away games.
- Mateta, Henderson and Riad all out.
Lyon vs Palace Odds
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Lyon Form, Stats & Data
Lyon concede 0.67 goals per league game, and their back line has coped well even with rotation. The question is up front, where Openda’s absence leaves Šulc, Nakamura and Nuamah to share the goals. At home in Europe, they have been very hard to beat for the best part of eight years.
C. Palace Form, Stats & Data
Palace concede two goals per league game and have often been second best in first halves. Their top league scorer is left wing-back Tyrick Mitchell with two, which shows how much they will miss Mateta. Sage knows Lyon well, but this squad has not travelled well this season.
Lyon vs Palace: Prediction & Betting Tip
Lyon have the better defence, the longer rest and an excellent European home record, while Palace arrive without their captain, their goalkeeper and their main striker, and with one win in eight away from home. I make Lyon the right side, and Draw No Bet gives me protection if Sage’s knowledge of his old club helps Palace to a point.
The biggest risk is Palace’s European pedigree. They have lost only one of their last 12 European games, and they beat Lech 4-0 on matchday one. Lyon are also without Openda, so they may struggle to turn control into goals. But Palace’s away form and their injury list tip it towards the hosts for me.
Lyon Draw No Bet at 1.66 with Winz is the bet. Correct score: 2-1.