Crystal Palace ’s bid to add the Europa League title to their Conference League crown resumes this week with a tough-looking clash at manager Pierre Sage’s former club Lyon .
Palace opened their 2026/27 European campaign with a clinical 4-0 win over Lech Poznan but Thursday’s trip to the Groupama Stadium promises to be a much sterner test of their credentials. Lyon started the season in the Champions League qualifiers after finishing third in Ligue 1 but saw their challenge ended by a narrow play-off defeat to Fenerbahce .
That saw Paulo Fonseca ’s side drop into the Europa League , where they got off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory at Anderlecht .
Lyon missed the chance to go top of Ligue 1 on Friday after losing 2-1 to Lens in a battle between Sage ’s previous two clubs, but they remain fourth and above European champions Paris St Germain .
And we think they could edge Thursday’s match against the Eagles , with our prediction being a home win @ 21/20 .
Betting Odds
Lyon vs Crystal Palace Betting Odds – Europa League 2026-27
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Lyon | 21/20 | 48.8% |
Crystal Palace | 19/10 | 34.5% |
Draw | 5/2 | 28.6% |
*Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Lyon are 21/20 favourites to beat Crystal Palace , who are 19/10 for the win, with the draw @ 5/2.
How to Watch
How to watch Lyon vs Crystal Palace
The Europa League league-stage match is scheduled to begin at 17:45 BST on Thursday and will be shown live on TNT Sports 1.
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Form Guides
Lyon form guide
Lyon put their Champions League setback against Fenerbahce aside to make a promising start to their domestic campaign. They picked up 11 points from a possible 15 before slipping to defeat at Lens in their first match back after the international break.
Les Gones have only failed to score in one of their 11 games so far this term, a goalless draw at Paris FC, and we think they will find a way through the Palace backline as well.
Lyon to be leading at half-time and full-time is 5/2 but we’re going for a home win with over 2.5 goals in total @ 2/1 .
We also fancy there to be under 4.5 cards in the match @ 1/2 . Lyon were shown two yellows in their hard-fought win at Anderlecht , but Palace did not receive any cautions against Lech Poznan and have picked just eight bookings in the Premier League this season - with only Coventry having fewer.
Crystal Palace form guide
Palace , perhaps inevitably, did not find the transition from history-making boss Oliver Glasner to Sage straightforward and they lost their first two matches under the Frenchman.
However, a 3-2 comeback victory at London rivals Fulham proved a turning point and the Eagles have won four of their last six games, including a 3-1 victory over Glanser -led Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Palace now face two huge away days in quick succession, with a clash at arch-rivals Brighton following hot on the heels of Thursday’s trip to France. They should at least be well prepared for Lyon . Sage was in charge of OL between 2023-25 before joining Lens, whom he led to the Coupe de France title and a runners-up finish in Ligue 1 last term.
Another former Lyon man, Jean-Philippe Mateta , could make his long-awaited comeback against either Les Gones or Brighton , and the France striker is 5/4 to notch on his return to the east of France .
Ismaila Sarr is also pushing for his first start of the campaign and last season’s top scorer is 15/8 to net against Lyon , with Jorgen Strand Larsen (6/4) and Eddie Nketiah (13/8) also goalscoring options for the Eagles.
Betting Tips
Lyon vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips - Europa League 2026-27
Lyon to win with over 2.5 goals in total @ 2/1
Jean-Philippe Mateta to score at any time @ 5/4
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