Royale Union SG vs Nice prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-11 17:45.
[p]After a troubled start which saw them pick up just one point from their opening three UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase matches, Royale Union SG promise to finish strong having secured four points in their last two such games. That includes batting back to earn a 1-1 draw with Roma, before they then went on to down FC Twente 1-0 on the road to revive their hopes of making it to the knockout rounds. [/p]
[p]Those results form part of what is now a nine-game undefeated run for the Old Lady (W5, D4), which includes three wins in their last three matches as the designated home team. That stands Sébastien Pocognoli’s men in good stead ahead of this crucial tie with Nice, as they aim to claim a first-ever win against French opposition after two draws against Toulouse last season.[/p]
[p]Nice also only have a two-game history against sides from neighbouring Belgium, where they won both ties against Zulte Waregem in the 2017/18 season. They’d trade those two wins for a victory here in a heartbeat one would imagine, since Franck Haise’s team currently sit second-last in the UEL standings after a winless start to the campaign (D2, L3).[/p]
[p]The Eaglets have had their wings thoroughly clipped by conceding first in all five of their league phase matches, while also being their own worst enemy by missing penalties, scoring own goals, and receiving red cards in those games. They did get back in the win column by beating Le Havre 2-1 at home at the weekend, but winning just one of their last seven away matches in all competitions (D2, L4) shows their vulnerability on the road. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Union will be hoping Ousseynou Niang chooses this occasion to open his account for the club, since he’s won 11 of the 13 matches he’s scored in his career (D2). Another African player in Algeria’s Badredine Bouanani will be out to capture the spotlight, and he’ll be brimming with confidence after scoring in Nice’s last UEL match before netting what ultimately was the match winner against Le Havre last time out. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Nice have scored more than once in just two of their last nine European away matches. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]