The UEFA Europa League group phase continues this Thursday, so take a look at our tips and predictions for the Group E matches. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and enter the action at Get More Sports.
Lyon (Fra) vs. Everton (Eng)
Three-Way: Lyon -172; X: +395 Draw; 2: Everton +620 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Lyon -125; Everton +121
Total +3: Over +110; Under -115
LYON
The Kids are in a great form of four consecutive victories, scoring 12 in the process and not allowing a single goal in the previous two. Lyon is in the 3rd place in the Ligue 1 with seven points behind PSG, and they are in the 2nd position in the Europa League with five points from the first three matches. They already beat Everton at Goodison Park thanks to Fekir and Traore, and another potential win here would give them an excellent chance to advance to the knockout stage.
Lyon played 14 games so far in the 2017/18, recording seven victories, six draws, and one loss, with a goal difference of 31:18, which is 3.50 goals per contest on average. The Kids are undefeated at home, and they scored in each of the seven matches at Groupama Stadium, usually scoring two or three, so the Toffees will have a mountain to climb in order to keep the clean sheet on this one, which is highly unlikely.
The phenomenal Nabil Fekir is the team’s top scorer with ten goals in 13 appearances, while Mariano Diaz with eight, Memphis Depay with six, and Bertrand Traore with four goals are also crucial contributors to the attack. Fekir, Depay, and the Brazilian left-back Marcal are the best assist-makers with three dishes apiece. Bruno Génésio is without the midfielder Clement Grenier (foot), the left-back Ferland Mendy (thigh), and Pape Cheikh (sprained ankle).
EVERTON
The Toffees are in all kinds of trouble as they are in a four-game losing streak and without a win in the last seven matches, and the things are not looking great for them in the Europa League. A point from the first three outings is way below expectations, and the 18th position in the Premier League is surely not what they planned prior to this season. Everton sacked Ronald Koeman but the interim manager David Unsworth doesn’t seem a right man for the job, so they must hire a coach with knowledge and experience to lead them out of the crisis. However, I don’t believe Everton will bounce back in Lyon as even their fans are already anticipating another defeat.
Everton played 19 games in this campaign, recording six wins, four draws, and nine losses, with a goal difference of 19:30, which is 2.57 goals per contest on average, but the fact that they are scoring just one per match is quite concerning. The Toffees have only one away victory at the moment, and it was against Ruzomberok in Slovakia, back in August, while they failed to score in four out of the previous six away from Goodison Park.
Wayne Rooney is the team’s leading scorer with five goals in 17 appearances, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Oumar Niasse added four goals apiece. Calvert-Lewin with three, and Tom Davies and Gylfi Sigurdsson with a couple of assists are the most creative individuals, but the truth is that Everton is struggling in the offense and no player can be highlighted as the difference maker at the moment. David Unsworth cannot count on Ross Barkley (hamstring), Yannick Bolasie (cruciate ligament injury), Ramiro Funes Mori (knee), and Seamus Coleman (fractured leg).
Lyon (Fra) vs. Everton (Eng) – Match Prediction
I would be surprised if Everton manages to avoid a defeat here, but a point will mean nothing to them, so they have to go for three points. However, I don’t think they are in a position to do it at the moment, considering the current situation at Goodison Park, so I am backing the hosts in this Europa League clash.
MY PICK: Lyon AH -1 (-125)
Apollon (Cyp) vs. Atalanta (Ita)
Three-Way: Apollon +450; X: +308 Draw; 2: Atalanta -128
Spread +0.5: Apollon +131; Atalanta -137
Total +2.5: Over -118; Under +117
APOLLON
The Blue-Whites recorded two straight victories and are in the 5th place in the Cypriot First Division with seven points behind AEK Larnaca but three games in hand. Apollon has a chance to stay in the contention in the Europa League as they collected two points from the first three matches and a win here would keep their dreams alive. However, Atalanta already beat them 3-1 a couple of weeks ago, and the hosts will have a lot of work to do to defeat the Italians on Thursday.
Apollon played 17 games so far this season, recording nine victories, six draws, and two losses, with a goal difference 35:20, which is 3.23 goals per contest on average. The Blue-Whites are excellent at home as they won seven out of eight matches, and the only draw was in the clash with Lyon, so Atalanta has to be aware of Apollon’s home form, even though they are playing matches at Neo GSP Stadium in Nicosia instead of Limassol.
The Maltese striker Andre Schembri is the team’s top scorer with six goals in 15 appearances, while Alex da Silva with five, and Emilio Zelaya with four are right behind him on a goal-scoring chart. Da Silva and the Croatian midfielder Antonio Jakolis are the best assist-makers with six dishes to their respective names, while Schembri and Anton Maglica added three assists apiece. Sofronis Avgousti is delighted to have all the players at his disposal as there are no injuries, so all of them are healthy and available to feature in this Europa League tilt.
ATALANTA
The Goddess’ three-game winning run ended last weekend after a 2:1 defeat to Udinese as Bryan Cristante missed a penalty kick in the 85th minute. Atalanta is at the top of the group E in the Europa League with five points ahead of Apollon, and even a point in Cyprus would be a good result for the Italians, so I am sure they will patiently wait for their chances to come.
Atalanta played 14 games in the 2017/18 so far, recording six victories, four draws, and four losses, with a goal difference of 25:17, which is precisely three goals per contest on average. When it comes to matches away from Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia, Atalanta is without a win in the previous six outings, and their road form is quite concerning so that I wouldn’t bet my money or their victory on Thursday.
The Argentinean forward Papu Gomez is the team’s leading scorer with five goals in 12 appearances, while Bryan Cristante with four, and Remo Freuler, Andrea Petagna, and Josip Ilicic are contributed with three goals. The Slovenian midfielder Ilicic is the most creative individual in Bergamo with four assists to his name, while Freuler, Petagna, and Gomez added three dishes apiece. Gian Piero Gasperini is thrilled to have the entire squad healthy and available for this Europa league encounter, as no player is injured at the moment.
Apollon (Cyp) vs. Atalanta (Ita) – Match Prediction
Atalanta is not playing well on the road, while Apollon is undefeated at home so I would go with a double chance for the hosts.
MY PICK: DC Apollon to win or draw 1X (+125)
