Apollon Limassol VS Lyon Match Prediction

These sides have never previously met on the European stage.

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Apollon Limassol vs Lyon Match Tips and Odds

Apollon Limassol are 5/1 to win the match, the draw is 16/5 with Lyon favourites at 8/15.

Lyon are by far the superior team, but a trip to Cyprus is a tricky one that the French side will have to treat with caution. The last two visitors the Tsirio Stadium in the Europa League group stage were Borussia Monchengladbach and Villarreal in 2014, both sides coming away with 2-0 victories.

A Thursday Europa League game in Cyprus before the toughest game of the season at Paris St Germain on Sunday is a slight concern, but Genesio will want to keep the positive momentum going and arrive in Paris full of confidence.

Apollon Limassol vs Lyon Prediction

Lyon are on a similar level to both those sides, so another 2-0 win to the away side is a good shout at 6/1.

Correct Score Prediction: Apollon Limassol 0-2 Lyon

Team News

Manager Sofronis Avgousti has a full strength squad at his disposal as he continues to find his best formation and starting XI. With plenty of new arrivals in Limassol this summer, it might be some time before he gets the team playing at an optimum level.

Key Man

Striker Andre Schembri has 4 goals and 2 assists to his name this season, but the nod goes to Apollon's 34-year-old attacking midfielder Alex da Silva. The Brazilian provided 12 goals 15 assists for the Cypriot side last season and is likely to pull the strings against Lyon. He was substituted at half time against Olympiakos, but that might be a wake- up call before the Lyon encounter.

Team Form - DDWLW

Apollon got past Zaria Balti, Aberdeen and Midtjylland in the Europa League qualifiers to reach the group stage for the third time. They played their first game in the Cypriot First Division on Saturday with a  1-1 draw at Olympiakos Nicosia.

Apollon Limassol Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Team News

Bruno Genesio has no injuries or suspensions to contend with for the trip to Cyprus. Kenny Tete replaced Rafael against Guingamp and will battle for the right-back spot, while Jordan Ferri is likely to start against Apollon. Genesio might be tempted to rest some players before the tough trip to Paris St Germain on Sunday.

Key Man

Nabil Fekir was handed the captaincy by Bruno Genesio this season, the attacking midfielder relishing the responsibility by beginning the season in sensational form. The 24-year-old has four goals and two assists from Lyon's first five games and will be one of the players Apollon need to shut down.

Team Form - WDDWW

Lyon are undefeated in Ligue 1 after five games, with the high profile departures of Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso covered so far by new arrivals such as striker Mariano Diaz, who has four goals to his name. Diaz and Fekir were both on the score sheet in the recent 2-1 home win against Guingamp.

Lyon Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Lyon are likely to have too much firepower for Apollon, but with a tough trip to Paris St Germain coming up Bruno Genesio will be tempted to rest some of his key players. If not, he will be expecting his team to get the job done early so he can make early substitutions. Both managers have been integrating new players into their teams, but Lyon have the class and pedigree to overcome a tricky trip to Cyprus.

This is the third time Apollon have qualified for the Europa League group stage. In their 12 previous games, the Cypriot side have won two, drawn one and lost nine. Their 2014/15 campaign got off to a good start with a 3-2 win against Zurich, but they lost the next five group stage games, scoring just one goal with 16 conceded.