Nice and Lokomotiv Moscow meet at Allianz Riviera, in a match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (16th Finals). These two teams have never faced each other before, so this will be their first direct confrontation. In this game the home factor may be decisive, since both teams present considerable differences in the results achieved at home and as a visitor.

The home team got access to this phase of the UEFA Europa League (16th Finals) after the 2nd place won in Group K, with a total of 9 points. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 21 conceded; against 8 wins, 1 draw and 6 losses at their stadium, with 24 goals scored and 21 conceded. The team comes to this match after a loss away with Dijon FCO by (3-2). In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Nice won 6 and lost 4. Their defense has not been very strong, as they have conceded goals in 5 of the last 6 matches for this competition. In 15 games, he suffered the first goal 10 times and only managed 3 comebacks.

The Nice enters the field for his first international match in the year of 2018, needing much to improve his performance to try to take advantage of the field command and build a good advantage for the return game. The team is not going through a good phase, considering that it comes from three consecutive defeats by the French Championship, in which it now occupies the ninth position. In his last match, he was ahead in the score, but he was defeated by Dijon away from home. In the Europa League, the French club qualified in the second position of Group K, with one of the nine best attacks of the tournament. Coach Favre has frequently changed the tactical system of the team, but will probably keep Lees-Melou as a reference in midfield.

The visiting team got access to this phase of the UEFA Europa League (16th Finals) after the 1st place won in Group F, with a total of 11 points. This is a team that usually gets better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses in away matches, with 22 goals scored and 14 conceded; against 7 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses at their stadium, with 24 goals scored and 16 conceded. In the last match that they disputed, for the Friendlies, they tied with Strømsgodset IF at home (2-2). In their last away game, for the Friendlies, they won by (0-1) against Osijek. In the last 10 away matches Lokomotiv Moscow has won 7, tied 1 and lost 2. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 5 of the last 6 matches for this competition.

The Lokomotiv Moscow makes this exhibition its first official match of the year, since so far has played only friendly, adding four draws, two losses and only one victory in those games of preparation, showing that there is still much to improve in the equipment. However, until the end of 2017 he had been doing a good season, as he qualified in the first position of Group F in the Europa League and leads the Russo Championship, which will restart at the beginning of March. In the national championship it stands out for its great offensive power, having the best attack and also consistency in defense, which is the second best. In the continental tournament, the attack failed to repeat the same efficiency, but the defense has been acting in a very satisfactory manner. Many tactical formations have been used by the coach, who must keep Manuel Fernandes on the right side.

PREDICTION: Nice to win @ 1.90