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Union Saint-Gilloise will welcome Nice to the King Baudouin Stadium in the league phase of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. The visitors have endured a winless run in the competition thus far, suffering three losses in five games. Saint-Gilloise have not fared much better and have one win to their name.
The hosts have been in good touch recently and are unbeaten in their last nine games. They saw their winning streak end after three games on Sunday as they were held to a goalless draw by Cercle Brugge in the Belgian Pro League.
Les Aiglons returned to winning ways after two 4-1 defeats last week, with a 2-1 home triumph over Le Havre in Ligue 1. Gaëtan Laborde scored from the penalty spot in the 55th minute and assisted Badredine Bouanani's 75th-minute goal.
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The hosts are unbeaten in their last two games in the Europa League and registered their first win of the campaign last month, with a 1-0 win over Twente. The visitors played Rangers in their previous outing and suffered a 4-1 loss.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Nice Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams will meet for the first time in a competitive match.
- Union Saint-Gilloise have met French teams four times. They have one win and one loss while playing two draws.
- Les Aiglons have met a Belgian team twice, with both meetings taking place against Zulte Waregem in the 2017-18 Europa League. They secured an 8-2 win on aggregate.
- Union Saint-Gilloise are unbeaten in their last four home games in all competitions, recording three consecutive wins while scoring 10 goals.
- Nice have suffered eight consecutive defeats in their travels in the Europa League, failing to score in five games during that period.
- Les Aiglons have outscored the hosts 5-3 in the Europa League thus far but have conceded 12 goals. Only Qarabag have conceded more (13) in the competition.
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Nice Prediction
Les Unionistes are unbeaten in their last nine games, scoring 16 goals, and will look to build on that form. They are unbeaten in their last six home games in the Europa League, recording three wins. Interestingly, they have drawn their two home games in the competition this season.
Sofiane Boufal was on the bench in the draw against Cercle Brugge last week and is likely to return to start here. Ousseynou Niang provided the assist in the win over Twente last month and should retain his place in the starting XI.
Le Gym have two wins and two losses in their last four games in all competitions. They are winless in their last nine games in the Europa League, conceding at least twice in six, which is a cause for concern.
Franck Haise has a lengthy absentee list and fielded a young squad against Le Havre in Ligue 1 last week. Hicham Boudaoui recovered from an illness but Mohamed Abdelmonem was left out. Dante, Jonathan Clauss, Ali Abdi, Antoine Mendy, and Melvin Bard are long-term absentees.
Saint-Gilloise have been in good touch and have won their last three home games. Nice have a poor record in the Europa League recently and also have some notable absentees. With that in mind, the hosts are expected to record a comfortable win.
Prediction: Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 Nice
Union Saint-Gilloise vs Nice Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Union Saint-Gilloise to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Both teams to score - Yes
