Both aiming to commence their continental quests for glory with three points, Nice and Real Sociedad will clash for a Europa League match on Wednesday night at Allianz Riviera.
Les Aiglons come into this game following a handsome win in Ligue 1 on the weekend, whilst the White and Blues have endured a tricky start to their 2024-25 domestic schedule.
Match preview
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After losing 2-0 at the home of Marseille following the September international break, Nice returned to winning ways in extraordinary fashion on Friday night at Allianz Riviera, securing an eight-goal success over newly-promoted strugglers Saint-Etienne from a one-sided Ligue 1 clash.
There were six different goalscorers for Les Aiglons last time out as summer arrival from Borussia Dortmund Youssoufa Moukoko bagged a brilliant double, with the 19-year-old settling perfectly into life in France after failing to cement a regular spot in the XI at Signal Iduna Park.
Following the collection of seven points from their opening five contests in the French top flight, Nice currently occupy seventh position in the Ligue 1 standings, already six points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain, who appear as potent as ever despite the departure of Kylian Mbappe.
Scoring on just seven occasions in 38 matches across all competitions during the 2023-24 season, Evann Guessand is well on track to enjoy a more productive term this time around, with the Ivory Coast international netting three times in his opening five Ligue 1 appearances.
With the Europa League possessing a new format for the 2024-25 campaign, it is clear that French giants Nice will be targeting a top-eight finish in the 36-team league table, a placement that would allow them to miss a two-legged playoff for the round of 16 in February.
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Due to their sixth-placed finish in La Liga last season, Real Sociedad find themselves competing alongside compatriots Athletic Bilbao in this year's Europa League, although Wednesday's visitors have endured a start to the campaign that does not scream continental quality.
Turning out in the top flight of Spain seven times already in 2024-25, the White and Blues have tasted victory on just the single occasion, with the two-time La Liga winners in the midst of a five-game winless streak, a run which has included defeats to Mallorca and Deportivo Alaves.
There was considerable disappointment for Real Sociedad on Saturday afternoon as they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils with newly-promoted Real Valladolid at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla, with both Karl Hein and Alex Remiro keeping clean sheets in the match.
The White and Blues have good recent pedigree in European competitions, reaching the knockout stages of last campaign's Champions League before facing French powerhouses PSG in the round of 16, with Luis Enrique's troops winning 4-1 on aggregate over two Mbappe-dominated legs.
Real Sociedad are battling on without the services of some of their top performers from last season, with leading goalscorer Alexander Sorloth and chief creator Mikel Merino moving to Atletico Madrid and Arsenal respectively over the course of the summer transfer window.
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Team News
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Nice remain without the services of right-winger Gaetan Laborde, with the 30-year-old playing one Ligue 1 game earlier this term before breaking his foot.
Les Aiglons will also be unable to call upon the talents of former Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Sanson, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained last month.
Moving from Europa League holders Atalanta BC last summer, Jeremie Boga would have been a real headache for the Spaniards, but the attacker is out of action due to a shin issue.
With the winning goal of the Euro 2024 final on his CV, one-club man Mikel Oyarzabal could be promoted to the starting XI for Real Sociedad's European match on Wednesday night.
The White and Blues have already suffered a major fitness blow this season, with right-back Hamari Traore out for the remainder of the term because of a cruciate ligament injury.
Nice possible starting lineup:
Bulka; Ndayishimiye, Bombito, Dante; Clauss, Rosario, Ndombele, Bard; Cho, Moukoko, Guessand
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Gomez; Sucic, Zubimendi, Turrientes; Kubo, Becker, Oyarzabal
We say: Nice 1-0 Real Sociedad
After hitting Saint-Etienne for eight on the weekend, Nice should be very confident of getting their Europa League campaign off to a positive start on Wednesday night.
Failing to win any of their last five matches in La Liga, Real Sociedad are in an early-season rut and look set for a difficult evening at Allianz Riviera.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
