Celta Vigo welcome Nice to the Estadio de Balaídos for a league phase fixture in the UEFA Europa League. The hosts have done some good work at home lately, while the visitors are struggling on their travels.
It has been a mixed start to the league phase of the Europa League for Celta Vigo, who have claimed one win and suffered a defeat in their opening two matches. Claudio Giraldez's men bounced back from a 2-1 loss at Stuttgart in their first outing to earn a 3-1 home victory over PAOK last time out.
Celta Vigo have had their moments this season and are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They are also unbeaten in their last six home matches and played out a 1-1 home draw with Real Sociedad in a La Liga fixture last weekend.
Meanwhile, Nice have begun their campaign with two straight defeats, losing 2-1 to both Roma and Ferencvaros. Franck Haise's men have not been convincing lately and are winless in five of their last six matches in all competitions.
One positive for Nice is that they will travel to Spain off the back of a 3-2 home victory over Lyon in a Ligue 1 clash last weekend. However, they have been poor on their travels and are winless in their last four away matches, suffering three defeats on this run.
How the bookies view it: Celta Vigo on top
Celta Vigo have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies, with a home win priced at 4/5 by BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Nice is valued at 11/4 while a draw is offered at odds of 5/2.
Head to head: First-ever meeting
There are no previous meetings between Celta Vigo and Nice.
Players to watch: Iglesias heating up
Borja Iglesias has caught the eye for Celta Vigo this season, with six goals in all competitions so far. Two of those goals have come in the Europa League, and the striker will be the one to watch (Borja Iglesias anytime goalscorer – available at 6/4 by BoyleSports).
With Terem Moffi and Sofiane Diop unlikely to feature in this clash, Jeremie Boga will be the one tasked with providing the attacking threat for Nice. The forward has two goals this season and could be worth keeping an eye on (Jeremie Boga anytime goalscorer – priced at odds of 7/2).
Probable line-ups:
Williot Swedberg, Mihailo Ristic and Yoel Lago are all ruled out for Celta Vigo through injury. Iago Aspas was an unused substitute last weekend and could return to the starting line-up on Thursday, while Carl Starfelt is set to feature at the back.
Nice are likely to be without Moffi and Diop, who are both nursing injuries, while defender Moise Bombito is also ruled out. Morgan Sanson could earn a start after coming off the bench at the weekend, while Boga is expected to retain his place in the team.
Celta Vigo: Radu, Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso, Mingueza, Moriba, Sotelo, Carreira, Aspas, Iglesias, Duran.
Nice: Diouf, Mendy, Dante, Peprah, Clauss, Boudaoui, Vanhoutte, Bard, Sanson, Boga, Cho.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in Celta Vigo’s last 10 matches in all competitions (BTTS YES – offered at 8/13 by BoyleSports). Five of Nice's last six matches have produced over 2.5 goals – valued at odds of 8/11.
The Spaniards have scored first in their last four home matches (Celta Vigo to score first – set at odds of 4/6).
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