Sparta Prague vs Lyon Predictions

• Lyon have lost once in 90 minutes across their last 11 away games in Europe
• Sparta Prague lost 6-1 on aggregate to AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League earlier this year
• The Czech side lost 3-1 against FC Zbrojovka Brno in their first league game of the season

Lyon to take first-leg lead

Ligue 1 doesn’t start until later this month, but Lyon face a crucial part of their season in the next couple of weeks. They’re in Champions League qualifying action on Tuesday, getting their campaign underway in the Czech Republic.

Lyon have let themselves down in the Europa League in back-to-back seasons, exiting against Celta Vigo in the last 16 last season after blowing a lead at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals in 2025.

The French side haven’t featured in the Champions League since making the semi-finals in 2020, and a return to Europe’s top tier would be massive given their off-field issues in recent years.

Lyon’s recent European success has been built on strong away displays, as they’ve lost in 90 minutes only once across 11 matches. They won at Utrecht, Maccabi Tel Aviv, and Young Boys in the Europa League last term. They can pick off a Sparta Prague side that exited last season’s Conference League with a 6-1 aggregate defeat to AZ Alkmaar.