Nice vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-12-28 20:00.
Nice will be looking to pick up where they left off before the World Cup break as they continue their push towards re-qualifying for Europe next season. Lucien Favreās men have avoided defeat in each of their last seven games in all competitions (W3, D4), but an indifferent start to the season means theyāre still eight points adrift of the top five ahead of the latest round of fixtures.
Juggling the demands of European football alongside their domestic campaign has perhaps proved tricky, but scoring goals on home soil has proved a bigger challenge for Nice this term, netting just 12 times in their 11 matches at the Allianz Riviera. Thatās largely contributed to a poor return of points on home soil this season, with only four teams collecting fewer than Niceās eight Ligue 1 home points ahead of the resumption.
Despite sitting second in the table, Lens may not be the most confident of visitors as theyāve not won any of their previous six visits to Nice (D2, L4), including three successive away H2H defeats by a 2-1 scoreline. Franck Haiseās men have been the real surprise package in France this season though, losing just one of their opening 15 games of the league season (W11, D3) to stay within touching distance of Paris Saint-Germain at the Ligue 1 summit.
Qualification for Europe for the first time in over a decade now looks a distinct possibility as Lensā water-tight defence continues to power their charge, with three of their five successive league victories prior to the break coming āto nilā. Having conceded just ten goals this term, only four of which came on the road, Lens will undoubtedly be confident of continuing their hot streak and ending 2022 on a high.
Players to watch: Nice forward Andy Delort has scored his sideās opener five times this term, while also netting four of his six goals from the penalty spot. At the other end, Lens forward Florian Sotoca assisted in each of his final three games before the mid-season break.
Hot stat: Lens have scored 73% of their Ligue 1 goals after half-time.