Nice vs Lorient prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-04-18 19:00.
[p]Nice will surely be left with a feeling of what might have been when they reflect on the 2023/24 campaign. Having been embroiled in a shock title challenge over the first few months of the season, a run of one win in nine league outings (D3, L5) means even finishing in a UEFA Champions League qualification place now looks unlikely.[/p]
[p]A 0-0 stalemate against Reims two weeks ago means the Eaglets head into this round sitting in fifth, five points behind Lille in fourth. Having endured such a sudden slide down the table, Francesco Farioli’s side are now nervously looking over their shoulders instead, as they cling on to a place in the top-six having missed out on European football for this season with a ninth-placed finish last term.[/p]
[p]Looking to take advantage of Nice’s poor form are visitors Lorient, themselves desperate for points in a nervous battle against relegation. A 2-0 defeat to Montpellier last time out means they’re only outside of the bottom-two on goal difference and two points behind 15th-placed Le Havre, leaving them at risk of returning to the second tier after four seasons in Ligue 1.[/p]
[p]It is no surprise to see Régis Le Bris’ side in such a perilous position, given in two of the last three campaigns, they’ve finished in 16th. A repeat looked unlikely only a few weeks ago when they had actually looked set to pull clear of danger thanks to a three-match winning streak in February, but an accumulation of just one point from their last four outings (D1, L3) means Lorient have dropped right back into trouble.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Nice winger Jérémie Boga has only lost two of the last 20 games in which he has scored (W15, D3). Leading the way for the visitors could be captain Laurent Abergel, who has seen four of his six personal H2Hs end all-square (W1, L1), while five of those fixtures saw both teams on the scoresheet.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Nice matches average a league-low of 1.79 goals per game in Ligue 1 this season.[/p]