Sparta Prague vs Lyon predictions: French favourites may be frustrated in Prague

• Sparta Prague lost six of their eight matches in the 2024-25 Champions League 

• Lyon finished top of the Europa League standings last season but lost to Celta Vigo in the round of 16

• Recommended bet: Draw at 13/5 with LiveScore Bet

Lyon won seven of their first eight matches in last season's Europa League and they are targeting another fast start to their European campaign on Tuesday.

Paulo Fonseca's side, who finished fourth in Ligue 1 in 2025-26, travel to Sparta Prague for the first leg of their tie in the third round of Champions League qualifying.

Team news

Jakub Surovcik is expected to start in goal for Sparta Prague as number one Peter Vindahl is still recovering from a serious foot injury.

Lyon are missing the suspended Moussa Niakhite and Nicolas Tagliafico, who were sent off in their final Europa League game of last season.

Striker Lois Openda, who has joined on a season-long loan from Juventus, should make his competitive debut.

The latest Sparta Prague vs Lyon odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

There were over 2.5 goals in each of Sparta Prague's last six European ties.

Three of Sparta's last eight victories were by a 2-0 scoreline.

Sparta have won nine of their last 11 home matches in all competitions.

Both teams scored in four of Lyon's last five games.

Lyon won only one of their last seven away fixtures in all competitions.

Lyon conceded just eight goals in 10 Europa League matches last season.

Prediction

Paris Saint-Germain retained their Champions League crown last season but compatriots Lyon must come through two qualifying rounds to reach the league phase of the 2026-27 competition.

Lyon finished fourth in Ligue 1 last term, 16 points behind champions PSG, and they face an awkward first-leg trip to Sparta Prague on Tuesday.

The winners of the tie take on Olympiakos or NEC Nijmegen in the play-off round but Lyon are no certainties to get through.

Their Europa League campaign last season started promisingly and they pipped Aston Villa to top spot in the league standings.

But, while Villa went on to lift the trophy, Lyon suffered a 3-1 aggregate defeat to Celta Vigo after losing their discipline in the round of 16.

They limped into the Champions League spots in Ligue 1, winning only four of their last 12 games, and the draw looks the best bet on Tuesday.

Lyon had some mixed friendly results last month, beating Wolfsburg 2-0 but losing 4-0 to Real Betis and 2-0 to Czech champions Slavia Prague.

Sparta Prague, who finished runners-up to Slavia last season, have already started their league campaign so should be fitter than their visitors.

Sparta lost 3-1 at FC Brno on the opening weekend but bounced back with a 3-1 home win over Zlin in which former West Ham midfielder Andy Irving scored their first goal.

They reached the league phase of the Champions League in 2024-25, coming through three qualifying rounds.

Sparta lost only one of their 15 home league fixtures last season, also reaching the Conference League knockout stages, and can stand firm against a rusty Lyon side in the first leg.       

Back Draw, available at 5/2 with LiveScore Bet

Score Prediction - Sparta Prague 1-1 Lyon.