Preview: Brondby vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups

Lyon will be looking to maintain their 100% record in the Europa League group stage, when they travel to Denmark to face Brondby in their penultimate Group G match on Thursday night.

The hosts, meanwhile, sit at the bottom of the group but a surprise victory at the Brondby Stadion would boost their chances of finishing in the top two ahead of Rangers and Sparta Prague.

Match preview

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Brondby kept their slim hopes of advancing from Group G alive when they played out a 1-1 draw at home against Rangers earlier this month.

Ianis Hagi's 77th-minute equaliser rescued a point for the Scottish giants, but a draw for Niels Frederiksen's men means they are just two points behind both the Gers and Sparta Prague heading into their final two group fixtures.

The Boys from Vestegnen, who are competing in their first European campaign since 2008-09, suffered a 3-0 defeat to runaway Group G leaders Lyon in September and will be the underdogs once again for Thursday's encounter.

Brondby have never beaten a French team in European competition in five previous attempts, including defeats in all three previous meetings against Lyon.

However, a surprise victory in Denmark would see them move onto five points, which could make things interesting in Group G, if Rangers and Sparta Prague were to draw their clash at Ibrox, as all three teams would then have the same number of points heading into their final match.

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Another unsavoury incident in Ligue 1 occurred at the weekend as the Choc des Olympiques between Lyon and Marseille was abandoned, after a water bottle thrown from the crowd hit the head of Dimitri Payet in the fifth minute.

It took around two hours for the game to be officially abandoned, and as a result of the incident, the disciplinary commission of the French League (LFP) have told Lyon that they will play their Ligue 1 home games behind closed doors until a ruling is made after December 8.

Lyon supporters will be able to travel to Denmark for Thursday's game against Brondby, where Peter Bosz's side are aiming to maintain their perfect record in the group stage, a feat which no other team has managed to achieve this season.

Les Gones have won all five of their European matches against Danish opposition, including three victories against Brondby (twice in the 1997-98 UEFA Cup and once in this season's Europa League).

With top spot in Group G already secured, Lyon can play without any pressure, though Bosz will be keen for their form on the road to improve as they have won only one of their last five away games across all competitions.

Team News

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Brondby's first-choice goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is ruled out with a foot injury, while defender Rasmus Wikstrom continues to recover from a shoulder problem.

Frederiksen is set to stick with a 3-5-2 formation, which should include centre-backs Sigurd Rosted, Andreas Maxso and Kevin Tshiembe, while striker Mikael Uhre – who has netted 12 goals so far this season – could be joined up front by Andrija Pavlovic.

As for Lyon, Jeff Reine-Adelaide (knee), Leo Dubois (hamstring), Moussa Dembele (calf) and Damien Da Silva (back) are all ruled out with injuries.

Bosz is expected to rotate his starting lineup with qualification for the last 32 already sealed, with the likes of Tino Kadewere, Rayan Cherki and Castello Lukeba all pushing to start.

Eighteen-year-old Malo Gusto has returned from suspension and will cover for Dubios at right-back, while Karl Toko Ekambi – this season's top goalscorer in the Europa League with six strikes to his name – could be handed another start in attack.

Brondby possible starting lineup:
Mikkelsen; Rosted, Tshiembe, Maxso; Bruus, Slimane, Frendrup, Radosevic, Mensah; Pavlovic, Uhre

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Gusto, Denayer, Lukeba, Henrique; Mendes, Caqueret; Cherki, Aouar, Kadewere; Ekambi

We say: Brondby 0-2 Lyon

Even if Lyon do decide to rotate their side, they will still be the strong favourites to come away with all three points on Thursday night.

The hosts still have something to play for, so they will likely throw everything at their French opponents, though the visitors should have no problems in securing a routine win.

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