Porto will host Nice at Estadio do Dragao on Thursday night, seeking to take a significant step toward securing a place in the Europa League knockout stage.
After navigating through a turbulent phase before and after the November international break, the Dragons are determined to make their mark in Europe this season and view this match as a golden opportunity.
Nice is currently engulfed in a crisis and has been under heavy scrutiny in the past month, preparing for additional pressure in this away match.
As we approach this crucial Europa League clash, let’s examine some enticing betting tips for the Porto vs Nice matchup.
A Prime Opportunity for Porto
Porto faces considerable pressure on their return to Estadio do Dragao midweek, having managed only a single point in their last two Europa League matches.
Nevertheless, Francesco Faglioli’s squad has continued to perform well around the November international break, still being viewed as strong contenders for the knockout stages this season.
Following a return from a two-week hiatus marked by a 3-0 victory over Sintrense, Porto has won four of their last five matches across all competitions.
With just two losses in their first 17 games, they are rightly considered formidable opponents. Porto began their Europa League journey with consecutive wins against Salzburg and Red Star and have suffered only one home defeat since January.
Bet Builder Tip: Porto to win @ 4/9 and 1x bet
Nice in Turmoil
Reeling from a disastrous return from the November break, Nice experienced a 5-1 home defeat to Marseille, plunging them into crisis.
After a two-week gap following a setback against Metz, Nice has lost their last four matches, conceding 11 goals while scoring only 3.
Head coach Frank Heise is under intense scrutiny after a painful 3-1 defeat to Freiburg in Germany earlier this month.
Les Aigons started their European campaign with a 2-1 loss to Roma, and they’ve lost all four of their Europa League games by a combined margin of 9-4.
Heading into another challenging contest in Portugal, it’s worth noting that Nice hasn’t recorded a clean sheet at Allianz Riviera since mid-January.
Bet Builder Tip: Antoine Mendy to receive a card @ 11/4 BetUS
Sainz Could Shine
Borja Sainz, the top scorer for Norwich last season with 18 Championship goals, generated significant interest from elite clubs across Europe over the summer.
However, the 24-year-old, who signed a five-year deal with Porto in July, has quickly made his presence felt at Estadio do Dragao.
After scoring during international duty with the Portuguese national team, Sainz has netted in three of his last four games across competitions around the November break.
The former Spain youth international found the net in his Europa League debut against Utrecht and is eager to capitalize on his rising reputation.
Sainz also scored twice against a porous Nice defense, which has kept only one clean sheet so far this year.
Bet Builder Tip: Borja Sainz at 3/5 for over 0.5 shots on target on Daja Bet
Porto vs Nice Bet Builder Tips
- Porto to win
- Antoine Mendy to receive a card
- Borja Sainz, over 0.5 shots on target
Odds – 7/1 Vegas Land
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Fan Take: This matchup is crucial not only for Porto’s ambition to progress in European competition but also serves as a litmus test for Nice to regroup and respond to their ongoing struggles. For soccer fans, the outcomes can significantly impact not just standings, but also the future trajectories of both clubs in their respective leagues and tournaments.
