A do-or-die clash takes place for hosts Ludogorets, who sit on the edge of the UEFA Europa League play-off spots, against an already-eliminated Nice side at Huvephrama Arena on Thursday, 29 January.
Keep close tabs on UEFA Europa League predictions after viewing our key Ludogorets vs Nice tips below.
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Ludogorets vs Nice prediction: Razgrad to celebrate home victory
Key stats
- Ludogorets are winless in three of their last five competitive home games (D2, L1).
- The hosts have scored the most penalties this UEL term (3).
- Nice have failed to score more than once in back-to-back away fixtures.
- Les Aiglons are on a streak of eight successive away European defeats.
Correct score prediction: Ludogorets 2-1 Nice
Ludogorets’s pursuit of a first European knockout stage appearance in five seasons will see them carry their hopes until the final league phase matchday, needing a victory to confirm their chances of qualification. They sit a point below the top 24 teams entering the final matchday.
Nice avoided the embarrassment of seventh straight UEL defeat with an impressive 3-1 triumph over Go Ahead Eagles last round. Claude Puel has successfully steered Nice into calm waters in his first few matches after a turbulent few months, but their away form remains disastrous in major European competitions.
The hosts clearly have something to play for, unlike the visitors, who have nothing but their pride on the line. With the home support, Ludogorets should be able to inflict another scarring UEL loss on Nice.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Home favourites
- HOME: 19/20 (1.95) – 51.2%
- DRAW: 27/10 (3.70) – 27%
- AWAY: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.5%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Ludogorets’ first competitive outing in over a month ended in defeat, as Rangers edged them 1-0 on the penultimate matchday. They are assigned odds of 19/20 (1.95), which suggest a 51.2% chance of triumph on home turf.
Nice have won back-to-back fixtures and seem to be finding their feet under Puel. However, with a play-off spot on the line, bookies view the visitors as underdogs with odds of 5/2 (3.50), indicating a 28.5% win probability rate.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Ludogorets vs Nice predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: First ever meeting
Ludogorets and Nice have never met before in any friendly or competition. However, the Bulgarian club have faced French opposition thrice before, without ever winning (D2, L1). This is Nice’s maiden meeting against a Bulgarian team.
Ludogorets preview: Almost at full strength
Agibou Camara is sidelined with an injury, while Rwan Cruz and Vinicius Nogueira are also expected to be omitted from the squad.
Predicted lineup: Bonmann (GK), Son, Verdon, Almeida, Nedyalkov, Naressi, Duarte, Caio, Stanic, Marcus & Bille
Last five matches:
- Rangers 1-0 Ludogorets (UEFA Europa League)
- Rakow 2-2 Ludogorets (Club Friendly)
- Paks 2-3 Ludogorets (Club Friendly)
- Beroe 0-4 Ludogorets (efBet League)
- Septemvri Sofia 1-3 Ludogorets (Bulgarian Cup)
Nice preview: Huge injury list
Moise Bombito, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Melvin Bard are amongst the 10 players absent from selection. Charles Vanhoutte is serving a one-match suspension.
Predicted lineup: Dupe (GK), Adbi, Oppong, Bah, Clauss, Samed, Cho, Ndombele, Sanson, Diop & Wahi
Last five matches:
- Nantes 1-4 Nice (Ligue 1)
- Nice 3-1 Go Ahead Eagles (UEFA Europa League)
- Toulouse 5-1 Nice (Ligue 1)
- Nantes 1-1 Nice (3-5 on penalties) (Coupe de France)
- Nice 1-1 Strasbourg (5-4 on penalties) (Ligue 1)
Player to watch: Petar Stanic
With six goals and one assist, Petar Stanic has had an outstanding Europa League season so far. Although the Serbian midfielder failed to make an impact in the 1-0 loss to Rangers, he has consistently proven to be a gamechanger for Ludogorets, having netted four goals in two previous UEL appearances, including a hattrick against Celta Vigo.