Europa League | League Stage

Nov 7, 2024 at 5.45pm UK

Allianz Riviera

Nice vs FC Twente

Match preview

It's been a pretty disappointing start to the Europa League for Nice. They've played some great football at home under Franck Haise, but they just can't seem to translate that into this competition.

After a promising start against Real Sociedad on matchday one, with a 1-1 draw and the potential for a win if Alex Remiro hadn't denied Evann Guessand the penalty, things quickly took a turn.

A trip to the Italian capital didn't go well for Nice. They were thumped 4-1 by in-form Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, and then they fell to a concerning 1-0 defeat in Hungary to Ferencvaros.

That's extended a worrying run of form that has seen Nice lose 10 of their last 12 Europa League matches. Hopefully, an upturn of form domestically can be the catalyst to improving results on the continent.

OGC have gone six Ligue 1 games without a loss and have won two matches in a row since the disappointing performance in Budapest.

Haise's young side ended Monaco's unbeaten start to the season, then went to Brest and beat them 1-0 on the weekend. Guessand scored in both games, moving Nice up to fifth.

While Nice's UEL record is nothing to write home about, Twente's is even less impressive. They've gone 10 games without a win in this competition.

The draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United and former Twente manager Erik ten Hag on matchday one felt like a win, but they haven't been able to build on that since.

There's been a bit of bad luck, though. A 1-1 draw with Fenerbahce was a decent result, but they then had an early red card for goalkeeper Lars Unnerstall against Lazio, which saw them lose 2-0.

That puts Twente in a unique position as the only team with two points, currently in 28th place. Manager Joseph Oosting knows that while their upcoming fixtures look easier on paper, they need to start racking up points sooner rather than later.

This match is going to be another tough one for Twente. They've lost four out of the last five times they've played in France. The only exception was their last trip here against Marseille, where they won 1-0 in 2009.

The team is also in good form at home, having won two games in a row since losing on matchday three. They beat Heracles 5-0 and Willem II 1-0, ending a four-game winless streak.

Recent Performance

Nice Europa League form:DLL

Nice form (all competitions):LDDLWW

FC Twente Europa League form:DDL

FC Twente form (all competitions):DLDLWW

Team News

Pablo Rosario's late red card in the defeat to Ferencvaros two weeks ago means Nice will be without their Dutch midfielder for this encounter. It looks like Tanguy Ndombele will come into the side after a recent return from injury, though.

The midfield is still a bit of a concern, though, as Hichem Boudaoui and Morgan Sanson are out with hamstring and ankle injuries, respectively, while Terem Moffi is still out up front.

Twente goalkeeper Unnerstall is suspended after he was sent off early on against Lazio, so 37-year-old Przemysław Tytoń is set to deputise after coming off the bench to fill the gap against the Italians.

Younes Taha is out until 2025 with a broken leg, but the visitors were able to welcome Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Mitchell van Bergen back from injury over the weekend. It looks like they'll both start in attack alongside Sam Lammers, who has scored in back-to-back games.

Michal Sadilek was named in a matchday squad for the first time this season in the win over Willem II. The Czech midfielder has been out since picking up a nasty injury on the eve of Euro 2024, so this game could be a great chance for him to build up his match fitness.

Possible starting lineups

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Mendy, Bombito, Abdelmonem; Clauss, Ndombele, Ndayishimiye, Abdi; Guessand, Laborde, Boga

FC Twente possible starting lineup:

Tyton; Van Rooij, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Regeer, Vlap, Steijn; Lammers, Van Wolfswinkel, Van Bergen