Thursday's Europa League & Conference League predictions and free football tips: Nkunku can star for Chelsea

Where to watch

Lazio vs Nice
TNT Sports 5, 5.45pm Thursday

Chelsea vs Gent
TNT Sports 1, 8pm Thursday

Union Saint-Gilloise vs Bodo/Glimt
Discovery+, 8pm Thursday

Best bets

Christopher Nkunku to score at anytime v Gent
2pts 21-20 bet365

Lazio to beat Nice
2pts 5-6 Hills

Bodo/Glimt or draw double chance vs Union Saint-Gilloise
1pt 20-23 BoyleSports

Thursday's Europa League & Conference League predictions

Conference League favourites Chelsea get their campaign started with a visit from Gent, quarter-finalists from two seasons ago, and Christopher Nkunku can help inspire the Blues to victory.

Gent are regulars in this competition but they were blown away 5-2 on aggregate by West Ham in the last eight in 2022–23 and in Chelsea they travel to a side who are finding their feet under manager Enzo Maresca.

The Blues, who are 7-4 to lift the trophy, are on a four-game winning streak and Saturday’s 4-2 beating of Brighton suggests they may finally be on the right track after heavy spending and a series of managerial switches.

Maresca is unlikely to go full blow with his team selection and midfield maverick Cole Palmer is one of the surprise omissions from his Conference League squad, but they should still have too much in reserve for their Belgian visitors.

The player likely to lead the line is Nkunku, who has pretty much delivered whenever he has been called upon this season.

The French international has struck six times in nine appearances this season, which includes opening the scoring home and away against Swiss side Servette in their final Conference League qualifier.

Nkunku netted a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory at home to Barrow in the EFL Cup and should be on penalty duty with Palmer missing, making him an attractive bet to get on the scoresheet.

The other strong wager on the card comes from the Europa League, where Lazio can make home advantage count against a Nice side who have won only three of their last 12 away games.

Marco Baroni’s side were impressive 3-0 winners at Dynamo Kyiv in their tournament opener and in last season’s Champions League they won at home to Feyenoord, Celtic and Bayern, while also holding Atletico Madrid to a draw.

Bodo/Glimt recorded an impressive 3-2 victory at home to Porto in their Europa League opener and they can avoid defeat away at Union Saint-Gilloise, who have to respond to a 2-1 loss at Fenerbahce. 

The hosts sit eighth in the Belgian top-flight and have won only two of their last ten matches, so look vulnerable odds-on shots against the Norwegian league leaders.

There is other British interest in the Conference League, with Welsh outfit The New Saints looking set for a baptism of fire away at Fiorentina and Northern Ireland’s Larne likely to endure a heavy defeat of their own in Norway at Molde.

Elsewhere, Hearts are on the road in Azerbaijan to face Dinamo Minsk while Shamrock Rovers entertain Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia.

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