In this double matchup, we look at the Europa League group K, where the two qualifying teams are almost already decided, with it likely being confirmed after Thursday’s round of fixtures. Firstly, Nice will host Waregem, with Nice knowing that three points will be enough to confirm their qualification, while Waregem will have to at least draw to stay within contention. The other match will see lowly Vitesse visit a flying Lazio side who will expect to win to continue their 100% record in the Europa League this season, having already secured progression to the first knockout round of the competition.
Nice (Fra) vs. Waregem (Bel)
Three-Way: 1: Nice -182; X: +386 Draw; Waregem +710 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Nice -120; Waregem +121
Total +3: Over +114; Under -119
Nice
A poor start to the season which at first seemed like an anomaly has now extended all the way until now, with Nice finding themselves just one point above the relegation zone. However, Nice has recently shown a small sign of turning their season around, following a recent six-loss streak with a satisfying win and a draw. Furthermore, despite having an underperforming to support him, forward Mario Balotelli has still managed six goals and three assists in eight appearances.
In the Europa League competition, Nice has performed closer to expectations, winning twice and losing twice, both times to Lazio, including their 1:0 away loss in their most recent fixture against Lazio. The two wins means that Nice is currently in second place in group K, and they will know that just a win against their next opponents will ensure progression to the round of 32 for the first time in their history.
Manager Lucien Favre will be missing central midfielder Wylan Cyprien (cruciate ligament rupture) and centre forward Mickael Le Bihan (broken tibia and fibula) through injury, but will otherwise have a full selection.
Waregem
Zulte Waregem’s mixed season so far has seen their fans underwhelmed, especially considering last season’s successes in the Belgian Cup, winning the competition to also win themselves a place in the Europa League. Particularly underwhelming has been Waregem’s recent form, winning once in their last seven matches, losing the other six. The poor results have seen the Belgian side plummet down towards the bottom half of the table in ninth position, although they are still just three points off a top-six qualifying spot for the championship playoffs.
Group K hasn’t been much kinder to Zulte Waregem, although they were drawn in a tricky group with Lazio and Nice. With that in mind, the Belgian side has not done themselves the injustice by gaining four points, and still leaving themselves with a chance to qualify for the next round as long as they win their next match. Waregem have never qualified for the round of 32 in the Europa League, but have done when the competition was known as the UEFA Cup in the 2006-07 season, being knocked out by Newcastle United.
Manager Francky Dury will be missing keeper Sammy Bossut (operation) and centre-forward Peter Olayinka (ruptured knee ligament) through injury, while left-back Kingsley Madu will also be out with a suspension.
Nice(Fra) vs. Waregem (Bel) – Match Prediction:
Although both teams will be eager for the win, Nice will be desperate to offer their fans some kind of reason for celebration by qualifying on Thursday. Due to that reason, and the fact that they have the home advantage, I am confident that Nice can pull off a reasonably convincing win to progress to the next round of the competition.
MY PICK: Nice -1 AH (-120)
Lazio (Ita) vs. Vitesse (Ned)
Three-Way: 1: Lazio -161; X: +380 Draw; 2: Vitesse +620 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -1: Lazio -118; Vitesse +112
Total +3: Over +106; Under +100
Lazio
Lazio has had a great start to their season, losing just twice in their first twelve matches, winning all of the rest. However, their most recent result will have been a huge letdown as they lost in a closely-fought game against Roma in another edition of the Derby della Capitale. Despite the loss, Lazio is still in a strong position to mount a challenge for Champions League spots as they sit in the fifth position with a game in hand on third-placed Juventus. A further reason for optimism is the form of Italian forward Ciro Immobile who has netted nineteen times in sixteen appearances this season.
Furthermore, Lazio’s excellent league form has translated to Europe, having maintained a 100% record after a 1:0 win over Nice, although they were a little fortunate considering that the only goal of the match came from the 92nd-minute own goal. The two-times Italian champions have already secured qualification with twelve points, and will already be looking at righting their wrongs having qualified for the knockouts on their last four attempts, but never exceeding expectations while always falling before or at the quarterfinals.
Manager Simone Inzaghi will be without right midfielder Felipe Anderson (abductor muscle tear), centre-back Wallace (calf), forward Felipe Caicedo (hamstring) and defensive midfielder Davide Di Gennaro (strain) through injury.
Vitesse
Dutch side Vitesse has had a decent start to their season so far, currently sitting in the sixth position after twelve matches played in the Eredivisie. Saying that, Vitesse’s recent form has been concerning losing two and drawing once of their last three matches, including a recent 4:2 away loss to Groningen
Unfortunately for the Dutch side, their European form has been far less decent, picking up just one point in their first four games of this season’s Europa League competition. Their most recent result was another setback as they lost 2:0 at home to Waregem and Vitesse will now know that only a miracle can extend their European campaign. One damning statistic states that Vitesse have never progressed past the group stages of any European competition, and they do not look likely to buck the trend this year with a difficult fixture coming up next.
Manager Henk Fraser will be without centre-backs Arnold Kruiswijk (back) and Maikel van der Werff (knee), and keeper Remko Pasveer (hip) through injury, while left-back Alexander Buttner will also be missing through suspension.
Lazio (Ita) vs. Vitesse (Ned)– Match Prediction:
Although Lazio will be bitterly disappointed by their most recent loss to Roma, they will know that Vitesse is there for the taking as they almost already down and out. Even without the current circumstances, Lazio has the far stronger side between the two sides and should win either way, especially in front of their home crowd.
MY PICK: Lazio -1 AH (-118)
