Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to make it consecutive Europa League victories on Thursday night, Celta Vigo will welcome Nice to Balaidos.
Celta Vigo
Starting with the hosts, although Celta Vigo might have put a maiden Europa League victory on the board earlier in the month as they clinched a 3-1 victory at home against Greek outfit PAOK, Claudio Giraldez’s side have endured a public struggle since opening up the new campaign. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 1-1 stalemate against Real Sociedad, the Sky Blues have come under some increasing scrutiny. Signing off September with a shock 2-1 loss against Spanish high-flyers Elche, the Galicia-based outfit have remarkably registered just a single win from any of their first 11 appearances across all competitions. Scrapping it out at the foot of the La Liga standings and holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the relegation zone, Celta Vigo have the feel of a squad desperately searching for some kind of stability.
Celta Vigo Team News
Although Swedish international Carl Starfelt might have been shown a first-half red card against Real Sociedad over the weekend, the 30-year-old is free to feature here. Only making a single appearance since the end of August, ex-Benfica defender Mihailo Ristic remains a major doubt.
Handed a full rest on Sunday, one-time Liverpool misfit Iago Aspas should be handed a full recall here. Now entering his campaign at Balaidos, former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso should be deployed in a more central role in midweek.
Nice
As for the visitors, claiming what was an essential boost last weekend as they marked their return from October’s international break with an action-packed 3-2 victory against domestic foes Lyon, Nice will be desperate to use that lively performance as a platform to build on. However, getting their Europa League adventure underway with consecutive 2-1 losses against Fenerbahce and Roma, Franck Haise’s side find themselves in an almost identical position to Thursday’s opponents. Heading into October’s fortnight interval with a 2-2 stalemate away at Monaco, Nice have registered just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all competitions. It should also be highlighted, since opening up the new campaign, Haise’s camp have failed to win any of their first five showdowns away from the Allianz Riviera (four defeats, one draw).
Nice Team News
Both still dealing with respective knee injuries, Nice will travel to Spain on Thursday night without the duo of Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mohamed Abdelmonem. Missing out against Lyon over the weekend, Nigerian marksman Terem Moffi remains a doubt here.
Now registering four goals in as many appearances across all competitions, former Monaco starlet Sofiane Diop will play a leading role in the final third. Marking his return from a muscle issue on Saturday, 42-year-old Dante could keep his spot from the start.
Celta Vigo vs Nice Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown at Balaidos will be the first competitive meeting between Celta Vigo and Nice.
- The Sky Blues have remarkably registered just a single win from any of their first 11 appearances across all competitions.
- Five of Celta’s first six matchups in Galicia have finished in a stalemate.
- Nice have recorded just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all formats.
- Thursday’s guests have shipped at a least a pair of goals in five of their last six outings.
Conclusion
Two defences who have continued to show a string of glaring issues, we could be treated to an enjoyable Europa League showdown here. Watching Celta Vigo remarkably muster just a single win from any of their first 11 appearances across all competitions, Thursday’s hosts have also failed to record a sole clean sheet since opening up the new campaign. Likewise, watching Nice lose each of their opening two European battles by a 2-1 scoreline, chances could come thick and fast at Balaidos.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
