Qarabagvs.Lyon

The French giants were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 just over a week ago, and must pay off their debts by the end of the season to avoid being demoted.

Match preview

In the first game since Lyon were handed their punishment, Pierre Sage's side continued their fine form, drawing 1-1 with a strong Reims side to extend their unbeaten domestic run to seven matches, keeping them within touching distance of the top four.

Results on the continent have also been impressive, barring a 1-0 home defeat to Besiktas on matchday three - their only defeat in 11 across all competitions.

Especially on the road in the Europa League, Lyon have been superb, now having gone nine games unbeaten in the competition - winning seven.

OL should have made it three wins from their opening four games though, after only drawing 2-2 with Hoffenheim last time out, considering they took the lead on 92 minutes 52 seconds - the latest a team has gone ahead but failed to win in the competition's history.

Dropping five points in their last two matches in the Europa League has seen them drop out of the top eight for the time being, but a positive result here will see them rise up from ninth.

This will be Lyon's first ever meeting against Azerbaijani opponents in any European competition, but the visitors will hope they can extend Qarabag's dismal run against French clubs in Europe.

The Azeri champions have won just one of their 10 all-time meetings with clubs from France, but that was in their most recent - versus Nantes in 2022.

Qurban Qurbanov's men had made a dismal start after three games, with no points and just one goal, also losing 3-0 to 10-man Tottenham Hotspur on matchday one.

They put things right last time out though, with a surprise win away to Bodo/Glimt, becoming just the fifth team to claim victory there in 32 matches against the Norwegian champions.

It is at home where Qarabag have had most of their difficulties, with defeats already against Ajax and Malmo worsening a run of form that has seen them win just five of their 28 home games in the Europa League.

Qarabag are still up against it despite their matchday four win, only one point off the qualifying places down in 29th, but they will likely need to pick up at least seven points in games versus Lyon, Elfsborg, FCSB and Olympiacos, which is possible, but looks unlikely at this stage.

Qarabag FK Europa League form:

L

L

L

W

Qarabag FK form (all competitions):

Lyon Europa League form:

W

W

L

D

Lyon form (all competitions):

L

D

D

D

W

D

Team News

Qarabag can now call upon former first-choice goalkeeper Shahruddin Mahammadaliyev after a long absence, joining Fabijan Buntic and Mateusz Kochalski as the potential options to start between the sticks.

Amin Ramazanov remains out, but the hosts can welcome back both Julio Romao and Elvin Cafarquliyev from suspension, after they sat out the win over Bodo/Glimt following red cards against Ajax.

Juninho will be the man to watch up front for the hosts, with seven goals in Europe so far this season, and he found the net again at the weekend in the 3-0 win over Sabail.

Duje Caleta-Car and Nicolas Tagliafico should both return for Lyon after Sage allowed them the weekend off against Reims so they could rest following international duty.

Malick Fofana was also a surprise absentee, being left on the bench with Said Benrahma and Ernest Nuamah getting the nod ahead of him, but the in-form Belgian should retake his place in the team here.

Gift Orban remains out of the picture at Lyon, and now looks likely to be one of the players who will be moved on in January to ensure the club can cover the debts and avoid demotion to Ligue 2.

Qarabag FK possible starting lineup:

Kochalski; Bayramov, B Huseynov, Medina, Cafarquliyev; Patrick Andrade, Romao; Kashchuk, Zoubir, Benzia; Juninho

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Descamps; Kumbedi, Clinton Mata, Caleta-Car, Abner; Tessmann, Omari, Caqueret; Mikautadze, Lacazette, Fofana

We say: Qarabag FK 0-1 Lyon

It is not easy making such a long trip away in Europe, but even with conditions and the weather set to be challenging, Lyon should be able to continue their fine form here and return to winning ways in this competition.

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