Utrecht vs Lyon Preview & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Europa League | League Phase

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FC Utrecht will be expected to get on the front foot with their home advantage as they kick off their UEFA Europa League campaign against a strong Olympique Lyonnais side.

Kick-off date/time:

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+

Key stats

• This is the first UEFA competition match between these teams.
• Utrecht’s only previous UEFA matches against French opposition were against Auxerre in the 2003/04 UEFA Cup second round when they exited 0-4 on aggregate (0-0 h, 0-4 a).
• Utrecht won five and drew one of their six matches in qualifying for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League.
• Utrecht have lost only two of their last 15 UEFA competition matches (W7 D6).
• Utrecht are unbeaten in their last 15 UEFA competition home matches (W7 D8), since a 1-2 defeat against Austria Wien in the UEFA Cup group stage on 16 December 2004.
• Lyon have lost only one of their last ten UEFA matches against Dutch teams (W5 D4).
• Lyon have lost only two of their previous 32 UEFA Europa League group/league matches (W20 D10).
• Lyon have won four of their previous five competitive matches this season (L1) *all in their domestic league.

Utrecht vs Lyon prediction

Coached by Ron Jans, FC Utrecht have made their way through to the league phase of the UEFA Europa League after victories in the second qualifying round against Sheriff Tiraspol, in the third qualifying round against Servette and then in the playoffs against Bosnian champions Zrinjski Mostar.

Olympique Lyonnais have toned down their off-field chaos and that has helped them improve and become a little more cohesive on the pitch under the management of Paulo Fonseca. They most recently edged past Angers by a goal to nil at the weekend to make it four victories from their opening five Ligue 1 matches.

Lyon have previously been chaotic and entertaining to watch but they have lacked goals this season, made worse by the sale of Georges Mikautadze, and they will seek to grind out the avoidance of defeat in the Netherlands this week.

Utrecht vs Lyon tip: Under 3.5 goals