Scottish Premiership outfit Rangers take on Nice in the Europa League on Thursday evening, and we’ve got the latest in terms of team news and predicted lineups, as well as a score prediction alongside our preview.
Nice vs Rangers Preview
Philippe Clement and his Rangers side return to Europa League action with a trip to the south of France to take on Nice at the Allianz Riviera on Thursday evening, where they’ll be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
Last time out in Europe, the ‘Gers played out a 1-1 draw with reigning Conference League winners Olympiacos in Piraeus. The result left them just two points adrift of the top eight, in tenth place, with seven points from their opening four games.
They followed that result up with a narrow 1-0 win over Hearts in the Scottish Premiership and returned to domestic action following the international window with a 1-1 draw against Dundee United last Saturday, maintaining their position in third place in the table, nine points adrift of Aberdeen and 11 points behind leaders Celtic.
✈ Next Stop, Nice.#UEL pic.twitter.com/KnJMJCDYMU
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) November 27, 2024
Nice, meanwhile, are yet to taste victory in the Europa League this term, as they sit in 31st place after registering two draws and two defeats. Their defeats have come at the hands of Lazio and Ferencvaros, with draws coming against Real Sociedad and, last time out, FC Twente of the Eredivisie.
Despite their downfalls on the continent thus far, Franck Haise’s side come into this one unbeaten in five.
Last time out, they fought from behind to claim a 2-1 win over Strasbourg in Ligue 1. Les Aiglons are currently fifth in the French top-flight table, two points outside of the top four and 12 points behind PSG, who are top.
Nice Team News
The hosts are without several first team stars, with all of Jonathan Clauss, Ali Abdi, Antoine Mendy, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Morgan Sanson and Terem Moffi ruled out through injury.
Sofiane Diop and Moise Bombito are also unavailable, missing out through suspension. Diop received a red card against Twente last time out, while Bombito is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Rangers Team News
As for the visitors, they look set to be without four players. Neraysho Kasanwirjo and Oscar Cortes are both ruled out through injury, while Welsh duo Rabbi Matondo and Tom Lawrence are major doubts.
The ‘Gers fielded an identical lineup in the draws against Olympiacos and Dundee United, and reports suggest that Clement will stick with the same 11 for the trip to France.
This should see Cyriel Dessers, who scored on MD3, lead the line, supported in attack by Vaclav Cerny, Mohammed Diomande and Nedim Bajrami.
Nice vs Rangers Predicted Lineups
Nice Predicted Lineup:
Bulka; Rosario, Ndayishimiye, Dante; Louchet, Ndombele, Boudaoui, Bard; Boga, Cho; Guessand
Rangers Predicted Lineup:
Butland; Sterling, Souttar, Propper, Jefte; Barron, Raskin; Cerny, Diomande, Bajrami; Dessers
Nice vs Rangers Prediction
Like the UK’s best football betting sites, we at SportsCasting are favouring Nice to claim three points on Thursday despite a winless start to their Europa League campaign.
They come into the tie enjoying a strong run of form, and we’re backing them to build on their impressive showings of late with another victory against a Rangers side that have underwhelmed this term, especially away from home.
Prediction: Nice 2-0 Rangers
