OGC Nice vs Olympique Lyonnais Prediction

Two of Ligue 1’s most in-form sides will go head to head on Sunday night, as third placed OGC Nice host a heavyweight clash with sixth place Lyon.

Both sides have won four of their last five, with the only blemish on Lyon’s record a defeat to the still invincible Paris Saint Germain. The only time Nice have dropped points in the last six games was in a tense 1-1 away draw with Toulouse.

While the title race is virtually already over, with PSG, sat 13 points clear at the top, there is still plenty for the teams behind them to play for, and both Lyon and Nice find themselves in the midst of a race for Europe. Lyon will be hungry for a win here in order to make up ground on their rivals.

As the important clash edges closer, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• Nice have the third best scoring record in the league this season, netting 49 times. Only PSG (66) and Marseille (52) boast a better record.
• However, they have won just one of the last six meetings with Lyon (L3 D2), a record they will want to change.
• Lyon have netted 15 goals in their last five matches, bested only by PSG, who have notched 21 in the same period.
• Lyon winger Rayan Cherki tops the assist standings this season, laying on nine goals for his team mates.

OGC Nice Preview

OGC Nice Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1): Marcin Bulka (GK); Dante, Moise Bombito, Youssouf Ndayishimiye; Melvin Bard, Baptiste Santamaria, Pable Rosario, Jonathan Clauss; Jeremy Boga, Evann Guessand; Gaetan Laborde.

Established European contenders for the majority of the last decade, gone are the days where Nice are struggling to maintain their status as a top flight side. They now boast a squad of immense young talent, and on top of that, a talented manager in Franck Haise.

This season in particular has emphasised how far the team has come. Their only defeats this season have come against Lyon, Marseille and Lille, plus an anomaly on the opening day against Auxerre. They even restricted PSG to just a point back in October.

However, the squad will be aware that Lyon dismantled them 4-1 back in December, and while they will be hungry for revenge, they must be wary not to lose their heads. Missing Morgan Samson and Tanguy Ndombele, their midfield is far from full strength, and Haise will need to find a way of preventing his side from losing the midfield battle.

Olympique Lyonnais Preview

Olympique Lyonnais Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lucas Perri (GK); Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Moussa Niakhate, Clinton Mata, Sael Kumbedi; Corentin Tolisso, Nemanja Matic; Georges Mikautadze, Thiago Almada, Rayan Cherki; Alexandre Lacazette.

While in good form, Lyon suffered a serious blow last time out in the league. With a controversial penalty awarded in added time with his side 2-1, Fonseca pushed his face towards the referee’s.

Described as a headbutt by some news outlets, that isn’t entirely truthful, but it certainly fell under intimidating behavior, and as a result, he has been given a touchline ban that will last until NOVEMBER. To rub salt into the wound, the news on the ban was released on Fonseca’s 52nd birthday.

Upon confirmation of his ban, Fonseca stressed that he had total belief in his coaching staff to take over from him in the interim, and reiterated that his players were under no illusions about their individual roles on the pitch. This will be the first league fixture since the ban, so we will see how true his statements are.

OGC Nice vs Olympique Lyonnais Head to Head

Recent Meetings:

• 01/12/2024: Lyon 4-1 Nice.
• 16/02/2024: Lyon 1-0 Nice.
• 27/08/2023: Nice 0-0 Lyon.
• 03/06/2023: Nice 3-1 Lyon.
• 11/11/2022: Lyon 1-1 Nice.

OGC Nice vs Olympique Lyonnais Betting Tip

Both sides have been very effective in front of goal throughout the season, and with the explosiveness up top for both sides, goals are virtually a guarantee. That is why we are backing both teams to score in this one.

OGC Nice vs Olympique Lyonnais Final Prediction

OGC Nice 2-2 Olympique Lyonnais

A win for both sides would really give them a boost for the rest of the campaign, and they will fight each other tooth and nail for the three points. However, being so evenly matched, they stand a good chance of cancelling each other out.