Nice vs Marseille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-01-25 19:45.
[p]Nice know they need to buck a worrying trend in order to boost their hopes of finishing in the top four of Ligue 1 for the first time since 2016/17. The Eaglets were in UEFA Europa League action in midweek, where they were beaten 1-0 by Elfsborg, and have won only one of the previous six top-flight fixtures played directly after a European game this campaign (D4, L1).[/p]
[p]Such form has directly contributed to them heading into this round in fifth place in the table, not helped by a 2-1 defeat to fellow top four contenders Lille last weekend. Franck Haiseās side are also facing the potential of losing three matches in a row for the first time since March 2024, but may be confident of bouncing back at the Allianz Riviera, where they are one of only two Ligue 1 teams unbeaten at home this season (W5, D3), scoring 2+ goals in each of the last five outings there.Ā [/p]
[p]That form is unlikely to worry opponents Marseille given the visitors have the best away record in the division. The Phocaeans have been so good on the road this season that a 2-1 victory at Rennes earlier this month means they have accumulated 24 points (W8, L1), already ten more than they managed across the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign.[/p]
[p]But Roberto De Zerbiās side did slip up in their most recent outing, a 1-1 draw against Strasbourg that saw the gap up to league leaders PSG extend to nine points ahead of this round. Finishing in second place would still be a huge improvement for a club that came eighth last year though, and history suggests fans should be confident that Marseille will bounce back, given they have beaten Nice more than any other team in their history (W64, D29, L33).[/p]
[p]Key battle: Niceās Sofiane Diop, who has netted twice in his last three league outings, has seen five of his last seven goals arrive before half-time. He may have to get past Marseille skipper Leonardo Balerdi, who will be out to improve his own personal record as he has helped keep just one clean sheet in his previous seven H2Hs (W2, D1, L4), conceding 3+ goals on three occasions![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Marseille are the only team in Ligue 1 yet to concede a goal from minutes 61 to 75, while also netting a divisional-high ten times during that period.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]