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Hoffenheim logo
Europa League | League Stage
Nov 7, 2024 at 8pm UK
DnB NOR Arena
Lyon

Hoffenheim
2 - 2
Lyon

Gendrey (47'), Tohumcu (90+6')
Stach (6'), Chaves (79')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Vinicius (66'), Lacazette (90+4')
Mata (10')

Preview: Hoffenheim vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa League clash between Hoffenheim and Lyon, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Hoffenheim and Lyon, both aiming to bounce back from defeats in their last Europa League outings, are set to face off at the DnB NOR Arena on Thursday night for matchday four of the league phase.

The hosts are 18th in the table with four points from three games, with one win, one draw and one loss, while the visitors are 10th with six points from three, with two wins and one loss.


Match preview

Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo on September 21, 2024© Imago

After brilliantly finishing seventh last season, Hoffenheim secured their place in a European competition for the first time since being eliminated from the round of 32 in the 2020-21 Europa League.

Their start to the new campaign, however, has been disastrous in comparison, only winning five of their first 14 matches across all competitions, one of those being on penalties against Wurzburger Kickers.

That has left them 16th in the Bundesliga standings with just eight points from nine outings, while also residing in 18th in the Europa League table, something they will aim to improve on with a win here.

In comparison to their poor start to their league, Pellegrino Matarazzo's team had a decent start to the league phase, drawing with FC Midtjylland and defeating Dynamo Kiev, but they suffered a frustrating 2-0 loss to Porto in their last outing, especially disappointing as they had dominated the match.

Now aiming to bounce back with a win, they will host a Lyon side that have endured an inconsistent start to both their Ligue 1 and Europa League campaigns.

Pierre Sage, who was responsible for Lyon's remarkable recovery last season after being hired in November 2023, recorded an underwhelming three defeats, one draw and one win from their initial five Ligue 1 fixtures.

A 2-0 win against Olympiacos on the opening day of the Europa League was seemingly a turning point L'OL as they subsequently enjoyed a five-match winning streak before narrowly losing 1-0 to Besiktas.

Sage's side have since drawn to both Auxerre and Lille, leaving them without a victory in three games, a streak they will be hoping to end with a potentially crucial victory in their push for a top eight finish in the Europa League table.

Hoffenheim Europa League form:


Hoffenheim form (all competitions):


Lyon Europa League form:


Lyon form (all competitions):



Team News

Lyon head coach Pierre Sage on September 29, 2024© IconSport

The hosts are dealing with several injuries heading into this match with up to six players potentially set to miss out, including Christopher Lenz, Dennis Geiger, Finn Becker, Grischa Promel, Ihlas Bebou and Ozan Kabak.

Adam Hlozek scored both goals in Hoffenheim's only victory in the Europa League so far this season, and he could partner Marius Bulter in attack ahead of Andrej Kramaric here.

As for Lyon, Ernest Nuamah and Mahamadou Diawara are both unlikely to feature due to injuries, though both are expected to return later this month.

Having scored a 91st-minute equaliser in their last game against Lille, Sage could opt to name the same starting team here, with Rayan Cherki, Alexandre Lacazette and Malick Fofana leading the attack.


Hoffenheim possible starting lineup:
Baumann; Chaves, Stach, N'Soki; Gendrey, Grillitsch, Bischof, Prass; Kramaric; Bulter, Hlozek

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Perri; Maitland-Niles, Caleta-Car, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Veretout, Matic, Tolisso; Cherki, Lacazette, Fofana


SM words green background

We say: Hoffenheim 1-2 Lyon

While both sides have had periods of inconsistency this season, Hoffenheim have faced much more difficulty than Lyon in both the Europa League and their respective domestic league, leading us to believe the hosts are the stronger side and will win here.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




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Written by
Ellis Stevens

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Game History

How you voted: Hoffenheim vs Lyon

Hoffenheim
22.3%
Draw
18.5%
Lyon
59.2%
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League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio541013
2Frankfurt541013
3Anderlecht532011
4Galatasaray532011
5Lyon531110
6Rangers531110
7Ajax531110
8Spurs531110
9FCSB531110
10Ferencvaros53029
11Man Utd52309
12Plzen52309
13Olympiacos52218
14Fenerbahce52218
15Bodo/Glimt52127
16Real Sociedad52127
17AZ52127
18Midtjylland52127
19Braga52127
20Roma51316
21Besiktas52036
22Porto51225
23Union SG51225
24Hoffenheim51225
25Slavia Prague51134
26PAOK51134
27Elfsborg51134
28Malmo51043
29FC Twente50323
30M. Tel Aviv51043
31Qarabag51043
32Ludogorets50232
33RFS50232
34Nice50232
35Athletic Club00000
36Dynamo Kiev50050


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