Lyon and Fenerbahçe are battling it out for a place in the league phase of the Champions League. This tie is deadlocked at 1-1 heading into the second leg at the Groupama Stadium.

Key men to return ahead of crunch clash for Lyon

It has been a positive week for Lyon, who built on their first-leg draw in Turkey, with a 2-0 Ligue 1 victory over Toulouse. Paulo Fonseca opted to rest a host of players for the second of those matches, with this Wednesday’s fixture being more important.

Loïs Openda, Malick Fofana and Corentin Tolisso will return for the visit of Fenerbahçe. An unchanged lineup from last Tuesday’s meeting is possible, with defender Moussa Niakhaté expected to be fit following an ankle issue.

Openda is the obvious choice to lead the line after his 40th-minute strike in Istanbul. The Belgian only scored once in eight European outings for Juventus last term, but he’s hoping to kickstart his career in France.

Lyon predicted lineup vs Fenerbahçe (4-2-3-1): Greif; Maitland-Niles, Kluivert, Niakhaté, Abner; Tessmann, Morton; Nuamah, Tolisso, Fofana; Openda.

New-look Fenerbahçe attack starting to take shape

It has been a busy summer of transfer activity at Fenerbahçe, with many attacking players arriving. Fresh additions Mason Greenwood and Vedat Muriqi are both expected to start this match. Muriqi excelled last season in La Liga, scoring 23 goals in 37 appearances for Mallorca.

İsmail Kartal was dealt one major injury blow at the weekend. Kerem Aktürkoğlu was knocked unconscious in a head collision in the 4-2 win over Konyaspor and is unlikely to feature.

The visitors are also set to be missing Jayden Oosterwolde and Çağlar Söyüncü due to injuries. Unlike his opposite number, Kartal opted to field a strong weekend lineup, with minimal changes from that side expected.

Fenerbahçe predicted lineup vs Lyon (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Semedo, Škriniar, Aké, Brown; Kanté, Guendouzi; Greenwood, Asensio, Nene; Muriqi.

Lyon vs Fenerbahçe Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Under 3.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.333 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Lyon 1-1 Fenerbahçe
  • 22Bet Booking Code: 2CE5A

Key stats:

  • Six of Fenerbahçe’s seven matches this term have ended with three or fewer goals.
  • None of the Turkish club’s past nine European encounters has produced four or more goals.
  • There have been no more than three goals in any of Lyon’s previous five continental fixtures.

The stakes are incredibly high with a place in the lucrative league phase on the line. Players will be afraid to take risks on such a big night, and backing under 3.5 goals is the way to go.

Solid defensive displays have helped Fenerbahçe reach this point, with their European games averaging just 1.6 goals per 90 minutes this season. They’ve only conceded twice in five 2026/27 Champions League outings. Kartal will back his defenders to deliver again, with a conservative approach expected from the visitors.

Lyon vs Fenerbahçe Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Fenerbahçe to win or draw
  • Odds: 1.868 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: EGC5A

With the pace of Greenwood, who scored 16 times in 32 Ligue 1 matches for Marseille last term, Fenerbahçe will ask questions on the break. Backing them to avoid defeat in regulation time offers value at 1.868.

The Turkish giants can take confidence from a six-game unbeaten run in European away fixtures. Lyon have only won one of their past five outings in continental competitions.

Verdict: Under 3.5 goals (1.333) — Lyon 1-1 Fenerbahçe