This Thursday, OGC Nice travels to Elfsborg’s field in Sweden for the penultimate day of the Europa League. All pre-match information for this event can be found here.
A miracle will be needed for OGC Nice to progress to the next round of the Europa League. However, there is still a slim hope for the Aiglons. This will necessarily involve two substantial victories in the last two matches of this mini-championship. Simultaneously, the teammates of Mohamed-Ali Cho will also need to hope for setbacks for several direct competitors for qualification. The chances of qualification for the Gym are slim, following the last underperformance on the field of Union Saint-Gilloise (1-2).
Still in search of a victory in this competition, Franck Haise‘s team travels for the last time in this group stage. After Italy, Hungary, and Belgium, the Azuréens have now set a course for Sweden to face Elfsborg (kick-off of the match this Thursday at 9 PM). This is the penultimate confrontation for the Aiglons before hosting the Norwegians of Bodo-Glimt during the final day of this championship phase, next Thursday, at the Allianz Riviera.
The possibility of rotation for Franck Haise
Given the current standings, the Azuréen coach could consider a rotation in his starting eleven. Terem Moffi, Victor Orakpo, Morgan Sanson, and Jérémie Boga remain in the infirmary. Tanguy Ndombele, Hicham Boudaoui, Pablo Rosario, and Gaëtan Laborde will also not travel to Sweden.
Rested, the four players were not part of the group convened for this fixture. Finally, the latest winter signing for the red and black, Baptiste Santamaria, is not qualified for these last two Europa League matches. The midfielder is expected to make his debut this weekend with the Gym during the derby against OM.
On the other side, the Swedes temporarily hold the 24th and last qualifying spot for the playoffs. Oscar Hiljemark‘s players have accumulated 7 points in this mini-championship. They won on the last matchday against Qarabag (1-0). The Niçois will meet a well-known face: Niklas Hult. The left-back played two seasons on the French Riviera (2014-2016), originating from Elfsborg.
Probable line-ups:
Elfsborg: Pettersson – Holmen, Buhari, Yegbe – Hedlund, B. Zeneli, Ouma, Hult – A. Zeneli, Baidoo, Qasem
Nice: Bulka – Abdelmonem, Ndayishimiye, Dante (C) – Clauss, Louchet, Camara, Bard – Diop, Guessand, Cho
