Nice welcome Italian giants Roma to the Allianz Riviera for their opening clash in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League. The French side have had a mixed start to the season, while the Italians are looking sharp at the moment.
Nice have endured a difficult start to the season, with just two wins from their opening seven matches across all competitions. They fell to the Europa League after suffering a 4-0 aggregate defeat to Benfica in the Champions League qualifiers.
The French side are coming off a 4-1 defeat at Brest in a domestic fixture last weekend. The good news for Franck Haise's men is that they often do their best work at home, winning their last two matches at Allianz Riviera.
Roma, meanwhile, will travel to the Allianz Riviera off the back of a 1-0 derby victory at Lazio in Serie A last weekend. Lorenzo Pellegrini’s first-half effort was enough to earn them all three points.
That result maintains a solid start to the season for Roma, who have won three of their four matches so far. Gian Piero Gasperini's team have also done some good work on their travels, winning their two away matches this season.
How the bookies view it: Roma slightly favoured
Roma are slightly favoured by the bookies and are backed at 11/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. Nice are considered outsiders, with a home victory valued at 7/4 while a draw is set at odds of 23/10.
Head to head: One previous meeting
Nice and Roma have only met once before, with both teams battling to a 1-1 draw in a friendly back in 2022.
Players to watch: Eyes on Soule
Matias Soule has caught the eye for Roma so far and is already off the mark this season. Pellegrini also showed his importance to the team last weekend, and both men can produce over 0.5 goals for the Italians (Roma over 0.5 goals – offered at 2/9 by BoyleSports).
Ivorian forward Jeremie Boga leads the way for Nice with two goals this season. He has a solid partnership with Terem Moffi, and both men can combine to score over 0.5 goals for the hosts (Nice over 0.5 goals – valued at 3/10).
Probable line-ups:
Missing in action for Nice due to injuries are Dante, Ali Abdi, Tanguy Ndombele, Djibril Coulibaly, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssouf Ndayishimiye. Meanwhile, Charles Vanhoutte and Hicham Boudaoui are expected to anchor the midfield, while Moffi, Boga and Sofiane Diop should feature in attack.
Roma will be without Leon Bailey, Paulo Dybala and Edoardo Bove due to injuries, while Wesley Franca is rated doubtful. Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka should get starting berths in defence, while Soule and Pellegrini could support Evan Ferguson, who leads the line.
Nice: Diouf, Bard, Bah, Peprah Oppong, Gouvela, Vanhoutte, Boudaoui, Clauss, Boga, Diop, Moffi
Roma: Svilar, Ndicka, Mancini, Celik, Tasende, Cristante, Kone, Rensch, Soule, Pellegrini, Ferguson
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in three of Nice’s last four matches (BTTS YES – available at 8/13 with BoyleSports). Those three fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals – priced at odds of 4/5.
Roma have scored first in three of their four matches this season (Roma to score first – set at odds of 5/6).
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