Verdict: Lazio Draw no bet
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The top of the table clash in Group K of the Europa League will see out-of-form Nice take on high-flying Lazio, who head into the game on the back of an impressive victory over Juventus in Turin. Les Aiglons, on the other hand, need to try and make amends for two successive Ligue 1 defeats and in doing so edge closer to the first position in the group.
Nice may have failed to reach the Champions League group stages after a third-place finish in Ligue 1 last term, but said exit gave them an opportunity to enjoy a longer campaign in Europa League. So far has been so good, as les Aiglons recorded two comfortable wins over Vitesse and Zulte-Waregem, and everything suggests they will be vying Lazio for the first place. The first of two matches against the Biancocelesti, however, comes at a bad time, as the team appear to be going through a rough patch at the moment. Namely, Nice have suffered back to back league defeats to Marseille and Montpellier, conceding six goals in the process and slipping to 14th in the overall standings, so there are no doubts a morale-boosting win over red-hot Lazio would come in handy. Les Aiglons have only played five Europa League matches on home soil so far, winning three (Apollon, Krasnodar, Vitesse) and losing two (Schalke, Salzburg), so it is perfectly clear the lack of European experience could prove a problem against very good Lazio side.
Team News
Wesley Sneijder should be back in contention, but Wylan Cyprien and Mickael Le Bihan are not yet ready to return to the side.
Lazio
Lazio have gotten used to Europa League fixtures over the last few years and while they would rather be playing Champions League football, the Italian giants have done fairly well in the competition, although often failing to appear in the knockout stages. Just like their next opponents, the Biancocelesti won their first two group games this term, but it is their league performances that have been making the headlines. Eight games into one of the strongest Serie A campaigns ever and Lazio occupy third place in the standings, with their weekend’s 2-1 triumph over Juventus in Turin definitely the highlight of the season so far. Lazio showed a great deal of character to defeat their more illustrious opponents, coming from a goal down and having Thomas Strakosha save a last-gasp penalty. Head coach Simone Inzaghi will be looking to rest some of his starters at Allianz Riviera, but with quite a few important players out on the sidelines, several key men will have to feature against Nice.
Team News
Felipe Anderson, Dusan Basta and Jordan Lukaku continue to miss out, while Wallace is unlikely to be risked as he is not fully fit.
Key Factors to Consider
Nice lost last two matches, conceding 6 goals
Lazio on a four-match winning run
Les Aiglons lost two of four EL group games at home (W2)
Lazio unbeaten on last 10 Europa League travels (W3 D7)
The Biancocelesti defeated Nice in 2013 friendly
Conclusion
Nice have experienced plenty of problems of late and given their lack of European experience, we seriously doubt they will be able to defeat in-form Lazio. The Biancocelesti will be eager to extend the great run of results and we are positive they will take at least one point from the game.
Verdict: Lazio Draw no bet
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