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Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Olympique Lyonnais at the Gradski Stadion on Thursday in the fifth round of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League league phase. The Yellows have been poor on the continental stage this season and will need to improve significantly if they are to advance to the qualification playoffs.
Maccabi held on for a valuable point in their goalless draw with PAOK in their Europa League opener but failed to secure any points in the competition since. They were beaten 2-0 by Premier League side Aston Villa in the previous round, conceding a goal in each half while also squandering gilt-edged chances.
Olympique Lyonnais' struggles continued last weekend as they played out a goalless draw with last-placed Auxerre in Ligue 1, leaving them desperate to turn things around this week. Following three straight Europa League wins, the French side suffered their first defeat of the competition last time out, losing 2-0 to Real Betis in a flat performance on the road.
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Les Gones sit seventh in the league phase with nine points from a possible 12 and will take a step closer towards a top-eight finish with a win on Thursday.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Olympique Lyonnais Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Thursday's game will mark the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
- Maccabi have had eight competitive meetings against French opponents. They have won four of those games, drawn one and lost the other three.
- Lyon have had four meetings against Israeli opposition in European competitions, winning three of those games and drawing once.
- OL have the joint-best defensive record in the Europa League this season with a goal concession tally of two.
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Olympique Lyonnais Prediction
The Yellows were last in action a fortnight ago, suffering a heavy 6-2 defeat to Beitar Jerusalem in the Israeli Premier League. They will seek a reaction this week but their task is made more difficult by the absence of home advantage with Thursday’s fixture set to take place in Serbia.
Les Gones head into the midweek clash on a five-game winless run and have won just two of their last nine across all competitions. They have also been disappointing on the road of late but remain the stronger side ahead of Thursday's game and should come out on top here.
Prediction: Maccabi Tel Aviv 0-2 Olympique Lyonnais
Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Olympique Lyonnais Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Lyon
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Under 2.5 goals (Each of Lyon's four Europa League matches this season have all produced fewer than 2.5 goals)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: No
