Nice vs FC Koln prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-09-07 16:45.
A dismal start to their domestic campaign has left Nice with a lot of hard work to do if they are to at least match their fifth place Ligue 1 finish from last season, with Sunday’s loss at home to Monaco meaning the Eagles have won just one of their opening six league fixtures (D2, L3), conceding the opening goal each time. Lucien Favre’s side therefore may seek to find saving graces in this season’s UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) instalment, with the French side making their debut in the competition on Thursday.
Nice finished bottom of their group in their last UEFA club competition appearance two seasons ago, losing five of their six UEFA Europa League (UEL) fixtures (W1) whilst conceding 16 goals in the process. Favre may therefore adopt a more conservative approach to his side’s group stage matches if they are to secure qualification to the knockout rounds, with two or less goals being scored in six of Nice’s eight games across all competitions so far this season suggesting that very well may be a likely scenario.
Cologne’s high-scoring victory away at Wolfsburg on Sunday (4-2) maintained their unbeaten start to their Bundesliga season, the first time they’ve gone undefeated after five games in Germany’s top division since the 2016/17 campaign. Steffen Baumgart’s side have conceded the opening goal in half of their league matches so far though, but have a tendency to rally back into contests, with five of their ten league goals this season coming after the 60th minute.
The Billy Goats are making their first European appearance since being knocked out of the group stage of the UEL in 2017, losing 3-1 to Arsenal in their opening fixture and missing out on knockout qualification by three points. Baumgart will therefore acknowledge the importance of a good start in what should be an evenly fought contest on Thursday, made more unpredictable by the fact this is the first ever meeting between these two sides.
Players to watch: Nice were unbeaten last season in every game that Algerian forward Andy Delort found the net (W12, D3). Meanwhile, young striker Florian Dietz has made a promising start to his Cologne first team career, with both of his goals serving as the team's opener.
Hot stat: Eight of Cologne’s last 13 away league matches have seen four or more goals scored.