A Nice side without a win in five games make the trip to the Hungarian capital to face Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday.
After a stunning win over Saint-Etienne last month, the French side have been unable to build on that impressive performance, and will seek a first European win of the season here.
Match preview
© Imago
Ferencvaros will enter this clash hoping to end a torrid run in Europe of late, with two defeats to start this campaign extending their run of four consecutive losses on the continent, and five in this competition specifically.
Pascal Jansen's side have suffered back-to-back 2-1 defeats to Anderlecht and Tottenham Hotspur so far, meaning they are one of six clubs yet to get off the mark.
Going 2-0 down in both outings did not help, and Ferencvaros left it too late to start a comeback, with their goals in both games coming in the final five minutes, so ended up being nothing more than consolations.
After losing just one of their first 13 games of the season, a 3-1 defeat to Paksi shortly before the international break means Jansen's men had suddenly lost three in four games, but a 2-0 win over Fehervar at the weekend has put them back on track at the summit of the Hungarian top flight.
In what will be a first meeting between these two, the hosts will hope they can replicate their only previous performances against French opposition, when they took four points off Monaco in the 2022-23 Europa League group stages.
They may feel confident too, because Nice's record in Europe is not much better than Ferencvaros' of late, having lost 13 of their last 15 away in the UEL.
© Imago
Another loss here would extend an unwanted run of defeats on the road which already stands at seven, as Nice have not won an away game in this competition since a 5-1 thrashing of Zulte-Waregem in 2017.
Nice have a strong national record to uphold though, as no French club has lost a game in Hungary since Bordeaux did against Debrecen over 23 years ago - with six of the last eight French sides winning on their trips here.
However, after an 8-0 demolition of Saint-Etienne, Nice have since gone on a five-game winless streak, which includes their opening two Europa League games.
On face value, it is not an encouraging run of form, but Nice have been matched against some difficult opponents in that time, as taking a point away at Lens and against Paris Saint-Germain is more than respectable.
Franck Haise's side also managed to hold Real Sociedad on matchday one, and missed a penalty which could have handed them the three points, but a 4-1 loss to Lazio in the Italian capital to follow that up was a real low point.
Unsurprisingly, the goal difference took a battering due to that defeat, as Nice slipped below the likes of RFS and Ludogorets, but there is still a long way to go in the league phase.
Team News
![Ferencvaros' Raul Gustavo celebrates winning the UEFA Champions League, second qualifying round, second leg match at Park Hall, Oswestry on July 30, 2024 [on August 4, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/raul-gustavo.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Ferencvaros' Raul Gustavo celebrates winning the UEFA Champions League, second qualifying round, second leg match at Park Hall, Oswestry on July 30, 2024 [on August 4, 2024]")
© Imago
Ferencvaros defender Raul Gustavo is facing a fight to be fit for this one after missing their last two games, while left-back Cristian Ramirez should be fine to start as he was rested at the weekend after travelling back from Ecuador during the international break.
Hungary striker Barnabas Varga was also given something of a rest against Fehervar, only being introduced as a late substitute, but the man who scored against Spurs on matchday two is expected to return.
Tosin Kehinde is not in Ferencvaros' Europa League squad for the league phase, and after being sent off at the weekend, is set for a few games on the sidelines.
Just a couple of weeks after returning from a recent setback, Nice's Mohamed-Ali Cho is out injured again and missed the draw with Nantes on Sunday.
Youssouf Ndayishimiye (hamstring) and Tanguy Ndombele (hip) are both doubtful for this clash, while Melvin Bard (thigh) and Morgan Sanson (ankle) have been ruled out for certain.
Terem Moffi remains a big miss up front, as the £20m striker has missed the entirety of the season so far, meaning one of Youssoufa Moukoko or Gaetan Laborde will lead the line.
Ferencvaros possible starting lineup:
Dibusz; Makreckis, Cisse, Gartenmann, Ramirez; Abu Fani, Maiga; Traore, Saldanha, Kady Borges; Varga
Nice possible starting lineup:
Bulka; Clauss, Mendy, Bombito, Dante, Abdi; Rosario, Boudaoui; Guessand, Moukoko, Boga
We say: Ferencvaros 1-1 Nice
Having only avoided defeat twice in their last 15 away games in this competition, Nice are woeful travellers in Europe, and their winless run could well continue here.
Ferencvaros are yet to get off the mark, but fought well against Spurs last time out and are capable of giving Nice a few problems to think about, despite being the underdogs on paper.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Andrew Delaney
