Nice vs Lille prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-11-09 14:00.
[p]Everything points to a close encounter this weekend between two evenly matched sides when Nice face off against Lille. Nice sit a couple of points behind their visitors, although both sides occupy European qualification slots coming into the round after registering identical six game unbeaten runs in Ligue 1 (W3, D3). Closely matched in terms of league form this season, this is also the joint-most drawn top-flight fixture across the last 20 years, with 18 stalemates during that period, including both H2Hs last season![/p]
[p]But as the Eaglets have only lost one of the last 12 H2Hs they’ve hosted (W5, D6), they might fancy their chances of moving ahead of their visitors with a win at Allianz Riviera. They’ll have to recover from a tough battle against Twente on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League to do so, where they needed a late equaliser to claim a point after both sides finished with ten men (D 2-2). [/p]
[p]Further highlighting the similarities between these two, Lille maintained their lengthy unbeaten run in all competitions (W5, D4) by drawing 1-1 with Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Firmly in contention for the knockout stages, they’re challenging to get back amongst Europe’s elite for next season too, having lost only twice in Ligue 1 this term (W5, D3).[/p]
[p]The trip south shouldn’t daunt the Mastiffs much as they’ve kept three consecutive league away clean sheets (W2, D1) and have only lost one of their last seven such fixtures (W5, D1), scoring 2+ goals in all five wins. A lengthy injury list threatens to undo their good work and that probably explains why they won’t start as favourites, although that hasn’t deterred them this term as they’re unbeaten as away outsiders in Ligue 1 (W1, D1).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Included in the latest France squad, Nice defender Jonathan Clauss proved his worth with an assist against Twente and scored against Lille for Marseille in 2023. Also in that same squad, Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier is tipped for his international debut following several strong performances this season, securing a joint-league high five clean sheets in Ligue 1 this term after matchday ten.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Nice manager Franck Haise is unbeaten in managerial H2Hs against opposite number Bruno GĂ©nĂ©sio (W3, D2) – four of those games produced under 2.5 goals.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]