Preview: Nice vs Rangers – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Prettystill looking for their first win in the league stage, will be welcomed ranger on Thursday evening in the fifth matchday of the 2024/25 season at Allianz Riviera Europa League.

The hosts are 10th in the table with just two points, outside the qualifying places, while the visitors are in 10th with seven points from their four games.

Game preview

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Nice have had a mixed start to the season so far, doing well in fifth place domestically in Ligue 1 with just two defeats from 12 games, while also struggling in Europe and in the Europa League with two defeats in four games ended up in 31st place.

They initially had a weak start to the season, recording just two wins from their first eleven games in all competitions, but they have bounced back in recent games.

Franck HaiseThe Barcelona team have now secured three wins and two draws in their last five games and have moved up to fifth place in the Ligue 1 table with 20 points after twelve games, five wins, five draws and just two defeats.

However, there have been none of these triumphs in their Europa League campaign so far, leaving the Eaglets worryingly outside the qualifying places in 31st place with just two points from four games.

More worryingly for Haise, his team came from behind in both draws against FC Twente and Real Sociedad, as well as a heavy 4-1 defeat against Lazio and a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Ferencvaros.

With just four games left to reverse their European fortunes and secure a place in the top 24 for a chance at knockout football, Nice will need to improve quickly, starting with their clash against Rangers on Thursday .

However, the visitors are likely to pose a big challenge for the Eaglets as the Rangers end up in 10th place in the table after two wins, a draw and a defeat.

That defeat, a 4-1 loss to Lyon, is one of just five the Gers have suffered in 21 games in all competitions so far this season, recording 12 wins and four draws in that time.

Philippe ClementCoach since October 2023, but is under significant pressure heading into this game with his team already 11 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic and eight points behind second-placed Aberdeen after just 12 games.

Their away form has been particularly problematic, with the Gers managing just one win, one draw and three defeats in five Scottish Premiership games, although they have won one and drawn one in two away games in Europe.

Despite their difficulties, Clement is confident their four-game unbeaten run, their longest this season, can provide the impetus for another win here, three points which could take them into the top eight depending on results elsewhere.

Nice Europa League form:

Good form (all competitions):

Rangers Europa League form:

Rangers form (all competitions):

Team news

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The hosts will probably get by without it Jonathan Clauss, Ali Abdi, Antoine Mendy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Morgan Sanson And Terem Moffi Not suitable for this game due to ongoing injury problems.

Sofiane Diop is suspended for the game after receiving a red card in the last game against Twente Moise Bombito is also suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Elsewhere, after the 2-1 win over Strasbourg in their last game, Haise could opt to field a similar starting XI for this crucial Europa League game against Rangers.

As for the visitors, Neraysho Kazanvirjo, Rabbi Matondo, Tom Lawrence And Oscar Cortes will all remain on the sidelines for this game, although the final three are expected to return in the coming weeks.

Although they failed to beat Dundee United in a 1-1 draw in their last game, Rangers were absolutely dominant with 72% possession and 29 shots to Dundee Utd’s five, meaning Clement could name a similar team here.

Nice possible starting lineup:
bulk; Louchet, Dante, Ndayishimiye, Bard; Cho, Boudaoui, Rosario, Boga; Guessand, Laborde

Possible Rangers starting lineup:
Butland; Sterling, Souttar, Propper, Jephta; Raskin, Barron; Cerny, Diomande, Bajramil desserts

We say: Nice 2:1 Rangers

Nice may have struggled in the Europa League so far, but they come into this game in their best form this season and with Rangers often struggling away from home, we think the hosts will be able to pick up a win here.

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