Football predictions for tomorrow

If you analyse the stats from the first game in Vigo, ending 1-1, you might think that Lyon should’ve won by a big margin, but that’s not the case. Celta were controlling the match until the 56th minute when their striker, Borja Iglesias, was sent off for a second booking. Now the bookmakers see Lyon as a clear favourite to qualify, but this match should be much closer than they think.

The last time Celta failed to score was February 1, nine matches ago. They have kept just two clean sheets during that stretch. Lyon played a goalless draw against ten-man Havre on Saturday, but before that, both they and their opponents scored in five straight matches. I’m expecting an open game at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais, and both sides should score at least once on Thursday.

Freiburg kept six clean sheets in their last eight European home matches. Genk have played two straight 1-0 games recently.

With chances expected to be limited, it would be no surprise to see this tie remain goalless after 90 minutes. I have a small stake in a 0:0 draw at the AEK Arena.

Following a nervy first-leg, another tight affair could finish deadlocked on Thursday. AEK have drawn four of their last five Conference League fixtures, and another stalemate seems likely this week.

After a tight first-leg with chances few and far between, a similarly tense affair seems likely to develop in Cyprus. AEK have seen under 2.5 goals in their last six Conference League games, while Palace have seen the same outcome in five of their seven most recent futures.

With Forest expected to take risks and Midtjylland dangerous on the counter, this contest has the ingredients for a high-scoring encounter. Over 2.5 goals looks a solid option in what should be an open and competitive clash.

Both teams have a strong chance of finding the net in this second leg. Nottingham Forest have seen BTTS in three of their last five matches, and with a deficit to overturn, they are likely to commit forward and leave space at the back.

FC Midtjylland have a tremendous home record, particularly in this competition. The Danes claimed victory in all four Europa League games at MCH Arena this season, while they also secured wins in both previous meetings against Nottingham Forest.

A high-scoring affair is expected as Lyon averages over 2.1 goals per match in the Europa League this season. Their tactical setup under Paulo Fonseca has produced high-octane fixtures, including a recent 4-2 victory over PAOK. Given Celta Vigo's need to chase the game without their primary defensive anchors and Lyon’s tendency to push for insurance goals at home, the match is statistically primed to exceed the 2.5-goal threshold.

Celta Vigo has proven to be a "giant killer" against French opposition this season, having already scored and won 2-1 against both Nice and Lille. Lyon, while dominant, has shown defensive vulnerabilities in recent weeks, conceding in four of their last five matches across all competitions. With Celta forced to score to stay in the tie, an open game where both find the net is the most probable scenario.