Verdict: Ricardo Horta over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to take a giant leap towards booking a Europa League knockout stage ticket on Thursday evening, Braga will travel to the Allianz Riviera when they meet Nice.
Nice
Starting with the hosts, breaking a string of unwanted records this season, it is no secret that Nice find themselves at the heart of a public nightmare. Last seen over the weekend slumping to a 1-0 loss at home against Angers, the pressure on Franck Haise’s shoulders has now reached a boiling point. Sacrificing their spot in the top-half of the Ligue 1 standings, the Eagles have remarkably lost all of their previous seven consecutive appearances across all competitions. Likewise, hit with a routine 3-0 drumming away at Portuguese giants Porto a fortnight ago, Nice have already watched their knockout stage dreams go up in smoke. In fact, losing all of their first five Europa League showdowns by an aggregate score of 12-4, Thursday’s hosts are also the only club who have failed to put a point on the board.
Nice Team News
Dealing with yet another injury setback after returning from November’s international break, veteran defender Dante remains on the sidelines and will miss out here. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance so far this season, Egypt international Mohamed Abdelmonem is still dealing with a long-term knee injury.
While Tom Louchet might have been shown a straight red card against Angers over the weekend, Nice’s academy graduate Tom Louchet is free to feature. Making a first appearance of the season on Sunday, ex-Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele could get some more minutes under his belt.
Braga
As for the visitors, while Braga might have endured a stuttering start to proceedings when opening up the 2025/26 campaign back in August, the Archbishops have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Extending on their recent flurry over the weekend as they secured a 2-1 domestic victory away at Famalicao, Carlos Vicens’ side have registered 13 points from their previous five appearances across all competitions. Excited by a trip to France on Thursday evening, the former Manchester City coach also finds his squad sat in pole position to book a Europa League knockout stage ticket. Putting 10 points on the board from their first five European showdowns, it should also be highlighted that Braga have suffered just a single defeat on their travels so far this season.
Braga Team News
Shown a Europa League red card away at Rangers a fortnight ago, Uruguayan international Rodrigo Zalazar Martinez will miss out through suspension here. Yet to make a single appearance so far this season, academy graduate Jonatas Noro remains on the sidelines with a long-term Achilles tendon injury.
Finding the net away at Famalicao over the weekend and now notching five goals in as many appearances across all competitions, attacking talisman Ricardo Horta will lead the line here. Despite turning 39 back in September, ex-Wolves skipper Joao Moutinho will start in the middle of the park.
Nice vs Braga Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown in France will be the first meeting between Nice and Braga.
- The Archbishops have registered 13 points from their previous five appearances across all competitions.
- Nice have remarkably lost all of their first five Europa League showdowns by an aggregate score of 12-4.
- In fact, the Eagles are the only club in this season’s tournament who have failed to put a single point on the board.
- Braga have suffered just a single away defeat across all competitions so far this season.
Conclusion
Knowing that they can take a giant leap towards booking a Europa League knockout stage ticket, Braga should be excited by a trip to France on Thursday evening. Suffering just a single defeat on their travels so far this season, the Archbishops will meet a Nice squad who find themselves at the heart of a public nightmare. With the Eagles remarkably losing all of their first five Europa League showdowns by an aggregate score of 12-4, Thursday’s hosts are the only club in this season’s tournament who are still waiting to put a maiden point on the board.
Verdict: Ricardo Horta over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 4/6
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
