Nice vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-12-19 20:00.
Firmly in the hunt for the title a matter of weeks ago, it now seems incomprehensible to think Nice can claw back the five-point gap to PSG at the Ligue 1 summit. Two defeats from their last three league outings have certainly bruised their outside chances of a title tilt, and after going down 3-1 to newly-promoted Le Havre at the weekend, their ego is severely dented ahead of the visit of Lens.
If there’s any consolation for Nice, both of those defeats came on the road, and playing at home usually brings around better results given they’ve won four on the bounce at the Allianz Riviera. In fact, they’re one of just two sides yet to lose a Ligue 1 home game this season (W5, D3), and despite their nine goals scored in those games being one of the division’s lower tallies, their six clean sheets go some way to explaining why they’ve enjoyed so much success.
They may have met their match here though, as no side in Ligue 1 has kept more away clean sheets this term than Lens’ five. It was a home shut out that helped them to a 2-0 victory over Reims at the weekend, and while that served as a fourth successive league victory on home turf, their away form hasn’t been quite as sparkling, with three goalless draws from their last four road trips in Ligue 1 (W1).
Even still, that’s helped contribute to a wider run of 11 Ligue 1 games unbeaten for Lens (W7, D4) and dragged them back into the race for the Champions League places after a slow start to the season. But given they’re without an away win against Nice since December 2006 (D3, L4 since), they’ll have to guard against complacency here if they’re to extend that impressive run.
Players to watch: With an eye for a decisive goal, Nice’s Jérémie Boga has scored what was ultimately the winner in two of their last three home games. Rested at the weekend, Elye Wahi is likely to return to the fore here after scoring two of Lens’ last four away league goals, both inside 20 minutes.
Hot stat: Nice’s Ligue 1 home games this season have seen a league-low three first half goals scored.