Europa League: Lyon v Tottenham match preview

A look ahead to tonight’s Europa League fixture at the Stade de Gerland

Gareth Bale scores the winning free-kick against Lyon (GETTY IMAGES)

Lyon need to overturn a 2-1 deficit but they head into this match in dodgy form after losing three of their last four games in all competitions. Remi Garde’s side did get back to winning ways on Sunday with a convincing 4-0 victory at Bordeaux, and they currently sit second in the Ligue 1 table and trail the big spending leaders Paris Saint-Germain by three points.

Visitors Tottenham head to France in good form and are unbeaten in their last ten league games. The north Londoners sit fourth in the Premier League and are currently on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League. Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris returns to his former side although it is not clear if he will play after boss Andre Villa-Boas picked second choice Brad Friedel for the first leg.

KICK-OFF: Thursday, 6pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Tottenham Hotspur 2 (Bale 2) Lyon 1 (Umtiti), Europa League, Round of 32, February 2013

STATS…

Lyon have beaten Tottenham at home before, securing a 1-0 win in the first leg of a round two 1967-68 European Cup Winners’ Cup tie, and a repeat scoreline would send the French side through.

That 1-0 win over Spurs is Les Gones’ only home win against an English side. They have drawn five and lost one of the other six matches.

Lyon have won their last four European home games, beating APOEL 1-0 in the last 16 of last season’s Champions League and recording victories against Sparta Prague, Athletic Bilbao and Hapoel Kiryat Shmona in the group stage of this season’s Europa League.

Tottenham are unbeaten in Europe this year after seven matches, with three wins and four draws.

Spurs are unbeaten in their last four Europa League away matches, although the last three have been draws and their last victory was a 4-0 success at Shamrock Rovers in December 2011.

Tottenham won the inaugural UEFA Cup in 1971/72 and reclaimed the trophy in 1983/84, and could become the fourth side to win this competition for a third time, along with Juventus, Inter Milan and Liverpool.

ODDS…

Lyon to win: 2.34

Tottenham to win: 3.3

Draw: 3.5

TV: Live on ITV4 at 6pm, highlights on ITV4 at 6pm on Friday.