Matchday 6 of the 2024/25 Europa League group stage between Union (Belgium) and Nice (France) will take place on December 12 at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. Union vs. Nice: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Predicted lineups for Union vs. Nice
Union (5-4-1): Anthony Moris – Anan Khalaili, Kevin Mac Allister, Christian Burgess, Ross Sykes, Ousseynou Niang – Mohamed Fofana, Noah Sadiki, Charles Vanhoutte, Sofiane Boufal – Franjo Ivanovic.
Nice (4-3-3): Marcin Bulka – Tom Leche, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Mohamed Abdel Monem, Melvin Bard – Hicham Boudaoui, Pablo Rosario, Issiaga Camara – Badredine Bouanani, Gaetan Laborde, Youssoufa Moukoko.
Each team is listed with the starting lineup from their last match in this tournament.
Union
The Brussels club secured their first victory in the current Europa League campaign by defeating Twente 1-0 in the last round. This success ended Union's four-match winless streak in Europe's second-tier club competition (2 draws, 2 losses). Additionally, the team managed to keep a clean sheet for the second time in the tournament's group stage. With three points gained, the club moved from 30th to 24th in the Europa League standings, entering the playoff zone.
- The team has not scored more than once in their last five Europa League matches.
- The club's unbeaten home run in the second-tier European competition stands at six matches (3 wins, 3 draws).
- No more than three goals have been scored in Union's last six home games in the Europa League.
Nice
The team extended their winless run in Europe's second-tier tournament to nine matches (2 draws, 7 losses) after a heavy 1-4 defeat to Rangers in the previous game. As a result, Nice is among only five clubs in the group stage without a victory. It's also important to note that the French team has not kept a clean sheet in the current tournament edition, with their streak of conceding goals in the Europa League now at nine matches. In the Europa League standings, Nice is in the penultimate 35th position, trailing Union by three points.
- Both teams scored in 7 of the last 9 Europa League matches involving the club.
- The team has lost their last eight away matches in this tournament.
- The number "1" has appeared in the final scoreline in 7 of Nice's last 9 away Europa League matches.
Union vs. Nice: Match Prediction
The Brussels side unexpectedly defeated Twente away in the last round, and they deserved the win. At home, Union is much more dangerous and capable of taking points even from renowned opponents. Notably, they defeated Liverpool at home in the previous Europa League edition with a score of 2-1. Nice, on the other hand, performs poorly away in Europe's second-tier tournament, losing their last eight away matches.
Given the significant personnel issues facing the French team, they are unlikely to break this losing streak. Nice couldn't resist Rangers at home in the previous Europa League match, losing 1-4. Moreover, a series of injuries has caused a downturn in their league form. Therefore, I have no doubt that the hosts will be closer to success in the upcoming game.
My prediction: Union with a handicap (0)
