LYON HEAVY FAVORITE AT YOUNG BOYS IN EUROPA LEAGUE KNOCKOUT SHOWDOWN

BERN, Switzerland (Interstat) — A surging Olympique Lyonnais squad, fresh off clinching its Europa League group, travels to face Swiss side Young Boys in the knockout round playoffs on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026.

The French club enters the first leg at Stadion Wankdorf as a formidable favorite. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 3-0 victory for Lyon.

Form supports the prediction. Lyon concluded the group stage with a 2-1 home victory over Go Ahead Eagles on Dec. 11, 2025, capping a campaign where they won four of six matches. Their dominance included a 6-0 rout of MH Maccabi Tel Aviv and clean-sheet wins over Basel and FC Red Bull Salzburg. Their only blemish was a 2-0 loss at Real Betis.

Young Boys, the reigning Swiss Super League champions, advanced as a group runner-up but displayed inconsistent form. Their campaign featured highs like a 1-0 win over Lille on Dec. 11 and a 3-2 victory at Ludogorets, but also severe lows: a 4-0 loss at PAOK and a 4-1 defeat at Panathinaikós.

The matchup pits Lyon’s potent attack, which scored 13 goals in group play, against a Young Boys defense that conceded 10. The Swiss side’s home advantage has been reliable in domestic play but was less formidable in Europe this season.

Lyon manager Pierre Sage is expected to field a strong side despite the looming second leg on Jan. 29 against PAOK. Key attackers, who have shared the scoring burden, will look to secure a commanding away advantage.

Young Boys manager Raphael Wicky must solve his team’s defensive vulnerabilities to have any chance of an upset. The club will rely heavily on its passionate home support to unsettle the French favorites.

A decisive Lyon victory would all but secure passage to the round of 16. For Young Boys, avoiding a multi-goal deficit at home is critical before a difficult trip to Germany to face VfB Stuttgart in the second leg.

Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. local time (2000 GMT).