Krasnodar vs Nice Predictions, Betting Tips, & Match Preview

Krasnodar are fast becoming a strong force in Russian football since they were founded back in 2008. Just two years ago they were debutantes in the Europa League, making their way through to the group stages and being pooled alongside Wolfsburg, Everton, and Lille. Though the Russians couldn’t quite hack it in such a high quality group that time around, they were back at it again with full force last season. Krasnodar made club history with their biggest achievement to date in Europe, finishing top of their group with four wins, one draw, and one defeat. A feat made even more impressive considering their group contained German giants Borussia Dortmund, who they beat 1-0 at home. Krasnodar started this year’s Europa League group stage well, taking all three points away from Salzburg in a tight 1-0 win. Krasnodar’s 10-man defensive performance in the last 20 minutes of the match was notably impressive.

Nice are no easy opponents, however. Nice’s strong domestic form sees them come into this off the back of a string of decent results, including a fantastic 4-0 thrashing of Monaco, which have taken them top of the Ligue 1 table. New signing Mario Balotelli looks comfortable at the side and added another two Ligue 1 goals to his tally in this 4-0 win, taking his total to four goals in two appearances. However, the Italian was absent from their 1-0 win over AS Nancy last weekend due to injury and is also doubtful for this match. Nice also struggled at home to the out-of-form Schalke 04 at home in the Europa League last time out, the only blemish on their otherwise unbelievable start to the season.

Russian side Krasnodar are the bookies favourites for this match, priced at 4/5. Though this price seems somewhat short, we feel it’s justified when considering the following factors: Though Krasnodar and Nice are equally matched up on paper, Krasnodar have tonnes more European experience, the home advantage and extremely strong home form. Krasnodar have won all but one of their last eight Europa League home matches – an 87.5% win rate at home – and have scored an average of 2.4 goals per match over these. The Russian’s also have strong recent form at home, winning all but one of their last eleven on their own turf across all competitions (W10 L1). Nice, meanwhile, are relatively inexperienced with dealing of midweek European football, losing their only ever Europa League away match, where they also failed to score. The French Ligue 1 leaders will also likely be without star-striker Mario Balotelli (see team news), that will no doubt also take a knock on their confidence coming into this.

As such, Krasnodar to win at 4/5 and Krasnodar to win 2-0 at 7/1 are our choice bets for this match.