Prediction: Lazio vs Nice

Verdict: Lazio win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Europa League victories on Thursday night, Lazio will welcome Nice to the Stadio Olimpico.

Lazio

Starting with the hosts, while Lazio might have largely limped their way over the finishing line last season, the Eagles do appear to have made plenty of improvements this time around. Getting their Europa League adventure underway with a thumping performance last week as they stormed their way to a routine 3-0 romp against Dynamo Kyiv over in Hamburg, Marco Baroni’s men should be smelling the chance to lay down another early European marker here. Likewise, putting in another eye-catching performance over the weekend as they secured an action-packed 3-2 victory away at Torino, the Sky Blues have certainly impressed since returning from September’s international break. Marking their return from the fortnight interval with a 2-1 win at home against Verona, Lazio will also be excited by their extended success at the Stadio Olimpico. In fact, Baroni’s side have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of March.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season, Lazio will once again be without Samuel Gigot on Thursday night. However, aside from the one-time Gent defender, Baroni’s camp have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh issues to worry about.

Left as an unused substitute away at Torino last weekend, former Barcelona superstar Pedro could be handed a full recall at the Stadio Olimpico. Opening his Europa League account with a brace against Dynamo Kyiv last week and now recording five goals in as many appearances, summer recruit Boulaye Dia will spearhead Lazio’s charge.

Nice

As for the visitors, while Nice might have stormed their way to a sensational 8-0 romp against Ligue 1 returners St. Etienne on September 20th, the Eaglets have struggled to find any kind of stability so far this season. Forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Spanish outfit Real Sociedad last week as they opened their Europa League adventure, Franck Haise’s men have registered just a pair of wins from any of their first seven appearances across all competitions. Likewise, marking their return from September’s international break with a toothless 2-0 loss at the hands of domestic rivals Marseille, Nice have continued to show some extended issues away from the Allianz Riviera. Opening the new campaign with a shock 2-1 defeat against Auxerre on August 18th, Haise’s side have won just three of their previous 12 showdowns on the road.

Team News

Both still dealing with respective injury issues, Nice will once again be without the striking duo of Gaetan Laborde and Nigeria international Terem Moffi on Thursday night. Likewise, missing out against Lens over the weekend, former Tottenham star Tanguy Ndombele is seen as a doubt.

Despite turning 41 later in the month, veteran defender Dante should be handed a full recall and partner summer recruit Moise Bombito at the back. Notching a pair of goals since arriving from German giants Borussia Dortmund last month, 19-year-old Youssoufa Moukoko will shoulder Nice’s goalscoring responsibility.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Lazio and Nice last met in Europa League action back in November 2017, the Sky Blues collected a 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
• In fact, Lazio have won all of their three historic showdowns against Thursday’s guests by an aggregate score of 5-1.
• Since returning from September’s international break, Lazio have won three of their previous four appearances.
• Nice have won just a pair of their first seven appearances across all competitions so far this season.
• Likewise, continuing on from last season, the French outfit have won just a trio of their previous 12 appearances away from the Allianz Riviera.

Conclusion

Appearing to have turned a real corner since returning from September’s international break, Lazio will be looking to make another Europa League statement here. Getting their European adventure underway with a routine 3-0 romp against Dynamo Kyiv, Thursday’s hosts will also be excited by a dominant record against Nice. Including a 1-0 victory when they welcomed the Eaglets to town back in November 2017, they have won all of their three historic battles by an aggregate score of 5-1.

Verdict: Lazio win 

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster