Still without a win in the Europa League, Everton and Lyon will face each other on Thursday, October 19. The match, which comprises the number three round of the 2017/2018 group stage of the tournament, the last of the first round, takes place at Goodinson Park in Liverpool. The beginning is scheduled for 17:05 (Brasília time).
The teams are in Group E, which has Atalanta, Italy, in the lead with four points. Lyon split second with Cyprus’s Apollon with two points. Everton carries the lantern with only one point.
Everton’s recent performance
The English were beaten by the Italians in their debut match in the continental tournament. In Bergamo, they took 3 to 0 still in the first half. They only escaped an even bigger thrashing because Atalanta slowed down and only managed the advantage in the final stage. Then the stumble was at home. Against the fragile Apollon did not pass the equality by 2 to 2.
Liverpool’s weak blue campaign is not limited to the Europa League. His situation is quite bad also in the English Championship. On Sunday, October 15, away from home, against Brighton, narrowly escaped a defeat. He came out at a disadvantage and got the equalizer, by 1 to 1, in the final minutes of the final stage.
With eight points (two wins, two draws and four losses), Everton is close to the relegation zone. Of course, this is an early stage of the tournament, but raises questions about how coach Ronald Koeman will deal with the situation.
So far, he has climbed the starting lineup practically in all matches. However, with a cast that has been limited, he may be able to leave the Europa League and focus on the Premier League.
However, as it is under criticism, the possibility of early elimination may do just the opposite effect with Koeman demanding more of his players before he begins to have his post threatened.
In this dilemma, the biggest possibility is that Everton put on the field on Thursday what is best at their disposal. Not to increase a sequence without victories that already reaches three matches (two draws and one defeat).
Of the athletes he has at his disposal, Koeman should not rely on socks Ross Barkley and James McCarthy and striker Aaron Lennon, who are handed over to the medical department.
The current form of Lyon
Lyon, although also having an oscillating start to the season, had an impressive result on Friday, 13 October. In the opening of the ninth round of the French Championship, won the classic against Monaco. At home, he scored 3 to 2 in an exciting game to reach 16 points (four wins, four draws and one loss). It’s still a little below the expected performance. It occupies the sixth position, still outside the zone of classification for European tournaments in season 2018/2019.
In the Europa League, it even presented acceptable results, although not brilliant. In the first round, they drew 1-1 with Apollon in Cyprus, 1-0. They then went on the same score against Atalanta in Lyon.
For the departure of this Thursday, coach Bruno Genésio should be able to count on his main players, who do not present any problem of injury or suspension.
History of the matches
This will be the first match between teams.
PREDICTION: Lyon win @ 2.80
