Celta Vigo vs Nice Prediction and Betting Tips for Thursday’s Europa League group-stage fixture at the Estadio de Balaídos. The Spanish side will try to build on their recent home success, while Nice chase their first points in Europe this season. For more expert insight, visit Europa League Predictions from XpertStats tipsters.

• Celta Vigo seek back-to-back Europa League victories after a solid home win over PAOK.
• Nice aim to end their poor away form and collect their first European points this season.
• Both teams have shown defensive vulnerabilities in recent matches.
• Key absences could influence the balance of Thursday’s clash at Balaídos.

For Celta Vigo, it’s been a strange season so far. They’re unbeaten at home in six matches, yet haven’t tasted a league victory in nine. That’s tough to swallow for Claudio Giráldez’s men, who came agonizingly close to beating Real Sociedad last Sunday before conceding late. Still, the Balaídos crowd has seen enough glimpses of promise, a 3-1 win over PAOK earlier this month proved they can deliver when the stakes rise. Iago Aspas might not be as explosive as he once was, but his leadership remains crucial as the Galicians try to steady their domestic form and build momentum in Europe.

Giraldez will hope the return of Mihailo Ristic adds balance to the back line, while Borja Iglesias continues to lead the attack. The veteran striker is hungry to rediscover his scoring touch after two quiet outings. Can Celta finally turn their draws into wins? It’s hard to say, but this squad’s resilience, five straight 1-1 home draws before that Europa League win, hints they’re close to breaking through.

On the other side, Nice arrive with something to prove. Their 3-2 victory over Lyon was a shot of adrenaline after weeks of frustration, but injuries have thinned Franck Haise’s options. Terem Moffi remains sidelined, Sofiane Diop’s fitness is uncertain, and key defenders like Ndayishimiye are missing. That said, there’s still flair in this side, Hicham Boudaoui and Melvin Bard have shown they can step up when needed. The question is whether Nice can carry that same energy away from home, where they’ve lost four of five matches this season.

Even so, this feels like the kind of European night that could get messy, in a good way. Both sides attack better than they defend, and the pressure on each to get a result might just open things up. Goals on both ends? Very possible. For punters, it’s one of those fixtures that could swing either way, and it might come down to who handles the late drama better. Expect a lively contest that perfectly fits the unpredictable rhythm of the Europa League Predictions slate this week.