As Lyon prepares to host Celta Vigo at Groupama Stadium on March 19, 2026, the stakes are high in this UEFA Europa League encounter. Lyon, despite a challenging run of form with no wins in their last six matches across all competitions, holds a strong historical record against Spanish teams at home.
In their last 14 home matches against Spanish clubs in major European competitions, Lyon has only lost twice (W7 D5). Notably, they have never been defeated when hosting Spanish teams in knockout stage matches, boasting a record of three wins and three draws.
Celta Vigo, on the other hand, arrives with a mixed bag of recent performances, recording two wins, two draws, and one defeat in their last five matches. They are unbeaten in their three games against French teams in this season’s UEFA Europa League, having previously secured victories against Nice and Lille, alongside a draw with Lyon.
However, Celta Vigo will be without key player Borja Iglesias due to suspension following a red card in the first leg. This absence could impact their attacking options significantly, especially as they aim to reach their fifth quarter-final in a major European competition, the first since the 2016-17 campaign.
Lyon’s potential starting lineup includes Greif, Mata, Niakhate, Kango, Tagliafico, Morton, Tolisso, Tessmann, Vinicius, Endrick, and Yaremchuk. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo’s lineup may feature Radu, Alonso, Starfelt, Rodriguez, Carreira, Moriba, Vecino, Rueda, Swedberg, Duran, and Iago Aspas.
Despite their home advantage, Lyon is grappling with multiple injury issues, including Pavel Sulc and Afonso Moreira, which could further complicate their strategy. Celta Vigo’s recent form, coupled with Lyon’s struggles, sets the stage for a tense showdown.
As the match approaches, the urgency for both teams to secure a win cannot be overstated. Lyon seeks to break their winless streak, while Celta Vigo aims to capitalize on their unbeaten record against French teams this season.
This match not only holds significance for advancing in the UEFA Europa League but also for the morale of both squads as they navigate through a crucial phase of their respective seasons.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the final lineups and any last-minute changes as the match day approaches.