Two very exciting duels are on the menu in the group K of the UEFA Europa League competition that features Lazio (Italy), Nice (France), Vitesse (Holland) and Zulte Waregem (Belgium). The Italians are currently sitting at the top of the group table with three wins while Nice has six so far and these two squads have the upper hand when it comes to the advancement into the next stage. Vitesse and Waregem have one point each and if either of these two can emerge victorious on Thursday, they will open the possibility of taking the No. 2 spot, under the condition that Lazio takes a full prey at home against the French side.
Busy schedule continues in the European team competitions and we’re definitely not arguing about it.
Vitesse (Hol) vs. Waregem (Bel)
Three-Way: 1: Vitesse -106; X: +300 Draw; 2: Waregem +350 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Vitesse -111; Waregem +106
Total +2.5: Over -130; Under +125
VITESSE
The Dutch side still has realistic chance to advance into the next stage but they’ll need to snatch up a win at home on Thursday against the Belgians. If the results in other matchups go their way and if they defeat Nice at home in the last round of the group stage, the spring in Europe might become the reality. Strikers Tim Matavz and Bryan Linssen along with the midfielder Thomas Bruns are the authors of the three goals scored in the Europa League so far while Milot Rashica has two assists in his account.
In the domestic competition, the team from Arnhem currently ranks at the No. 5 spot with 18 points after 10 rounds and a 5-3-2 record. The team is undefeated in last five away matches and both defeats came at home against AZ Alkmaar (1:2) in August and against PSV Eindhoven (2:4) last weekend. Tim Matavz is the team’s leading scorer in the Dutch Premier League while Alexander Buttner tops the passing segment with three assists.
Centre-back duo Arnold Kruiswijk (back) and Maikel van der Werff (knee) will not be available for Thursday’s duel.
WAREGEM
The Belgian side has the least chance of advancing to the Europa League eight-finals especially because they already played both home games against the teams they were supposed to be able to confront but recorded a draw (1:1 against Vitesse) and a loss (1:5 against Nice). If they suffer a defeat on Thursday, that will be the end of all hopes for the fans who dreamed the spring in the Europe. Still, the team was far of disgracing themselves in top-level level soccer stage and they can be proud of this season’s achievements. Attacker Aaron Leya is the only scorer for the team in Europa League while the goal against Vitesse was an own goal scored by Kashia.
In the Belgian First Divison team ranks at sixth spot in the league table with 19 points in 13 games and a 6-1-6 record. Their goal difference is 24-22 and they are coming off from a 2:1 home win over KV Mechelen that ended the four-game losing streak. Aaron Leya Iseka is the top scorer in the domestic league as well with four goals while Peter Olayinka holds the top assister accolade with five.
Goalkeeper Sammy Bossut (knee) is the only unavailable player for the upcoming matchup.
Vitesse (Hol) vs. Waregem (Bel) – Match Prediction
This matchup has a clear tendency to be a high-scoring one and that’ where all of us should put our money on. Additional pick goes to the home team win because I think that they are slightly better squad at the moment and they definitely need a victory in order to revamp their 1/8 hopes.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (-130)
Additional pick: Vitesse to win (-106)
Lazio (Ita) vs. Nice (Fra).
Three-Way: 1: Lazio ; X: Draw; 2: Nice +520
Spread -1: Lazio +116; Nice -110
Total +3: Over +120; Under -111
LAZIO
The Italians are 100% so far in Europa League competition and they are calmly sailing towards the eight-finals. The victory against second-ranked Nice team would seal the deal and I’m sure that the team from Blue part of Rome will go full throttle with their entire firepower arsenal that has been very successful this year. They’ve managed to score eight goals in three matches while conceding only three and top scorers are Felipe Caicedo, Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with two goals each while Caicedo also recorded team-high two assists.
In the Italian Serie A, they are in the all out battle for the very top of the league table with 28 points after 11 rounds that puts them on the No. 3 spot at the moment. They have three points less than top ranked Napoli team and one point less than second ranked Inter Milan. Striker Ciro Immobile is having a magnificent year as he tops the team and the league with 14 goals.
Davide Di Gennaro (muscle) should be back in a few weeks while Ciro Immobile’s (thigh) status is unknown. Wallace (calf) and Felipe Anderson (groin) are listed as day to day while Dusan Basta (thigh) is back in training.
NICE
Along with Lazio, the team from the beautiful city in south of France has the biggest chance of advancing to the next stage. They currently have six points but their biggest challenge will probably be the road matchup in Arnhem that will take place on December 7th, but having in mind the advantage they already have, a draw will probably be enough to secure the Europa League eight-finals berth. The French side scored nine goals while conceding only four and the leading scorers are Alassane Plea with four and Mario Balotelli with two goals while Dante Costa and Jean Seri have one assist each so far.
The team is not showing the same level of consistency in the domestic front as they do in Europe and they are currently ranked at No. 16 spot with only 10 points in 11 games. If they continue with these poor performances they might have the “battle for survival” kind of season in front of them and I’m sure that this is not the boards’ or the fans’ intention. Balotelli is the teams’ top scorer in Ligue 1 with five scores while Pierre Lees Melou collected team-high three assists.
Wylan Cyprien (cruciate ligament) and Mickael Le Bihan (leg) are unavailable for the upcoming duel.
Lazio (Ita) vs. Nice (Fra) – Match Prediction
Lazio team is in a big run at the moment and they look unstoppable but a big scare came on Tuesday when their best player Ciro Immobile suffered a thigh injury and it’s unclear if he will be available for Thursday. To be honest, I sincerely doubt that he will play even if he can because there is no reason to risk the further worsening of the injury, having in mind Lazio’s 100% output so far. In this constellation of strength my first pick would be at least one goal scored by both teams and my additional pick will be over 2.5 goals in total.
MY PICK: Both teams score YES (-135)
Additional pick: Over 3 goals (+120)
