Verdict: Nice double chance
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two sides who will be looking to open the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign with an early statement on Friday night, Nice will welcome Lille to the Allianz Riviera.
Nice
As for the visitors, left disappointed last season and coming under a fair amount of scrutiny after only just limping their way to a top-half finish, Nice are desperate to show a string of domestic improvements this time around. However, despite missing out on punching another European ticket, Francesco Farioli’s new squad did sign off the 2022/23 campaign with a much-welcomed flurry. Putting in a thumping display on the final weekend as they landed a 3-1 romp at home against Lyon, the Eaglets lost just one of their last six Ligue 1 appearances and they also claimed some notable scalps. With their end-of-season romp underlined by a 2-1 win against Rennes, Nice will take some positives away from their rugged performances at the Allianz Arena. Only losing a pair of their final 15 straight top-flight showdowns in front of their own supporters, Farioli’s side could be smelling the chance to make an early statement here.
Team News
Making the move from Italian outfit Atalanta this summer in a deal worth €18million, Ivory Coast international Jeremie Boga will make his full Nice debut on Friday night. Ex-Leicester skipper Kasper Schmeichel will start between the sticks here.
Enjoying what has been an impressive start to life at the Allianz Riviera back in January, former Lorient striker Terem Moffi will spearhead Farioli’s charge this weekend.
Lille
As for the visitors, suffering what was an infamous collapse on the final weekend as they eventually missed out on the chance to book a top-four return by just a single point deficit, some are wondering if Lille will show any signs of a hangover on Friday night. Failing to find much stability over the final month last season, a huge part of Les Dogues’ issues after returning from the World Cup’s winter break were their continued struggles on the road. In fact, along with failing to win any of their final five Ligue 1 appearances away from the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, the French giants also claimed just a sole away victory from any of their last eight attempts – a run that stemmed all the way back to February 4th. Likewise, slumping to a toothless 1-0 defeat when they made the trip to Nice for their most recent Ligue 1 meeting on January 29th, Paulo Fonseca’s squad could face a tricky opening showdown on Friday night.
Team News
Splashing €15million on Hakon Arnar Haraldsson this summer, the 20-year-old will make his competitive debut this weekend. Likewise, arriving from Barcelona on a free transfer last month, Samuel Umtiti should start at the heart of Lille’s defence.
Notching 24 Ligue 1 strikes last season and heavily linked with a blockbuster Premier League switch this summer, 23-year-old talisman Jonathan David will spearhead Fonseca’s attack on Friday night.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides met for their last Ligue 1 meeting on January 29th, Nice claimed a 1-0 victory at the Allianz Riviera.
- In fact, along with recording back-to-back Ligue 1 victories against Lille last season, Nice have won three of their previous four showdowns.
- Friday’s guests managed to muster just a single win from any of their final eight Ligue 1 appearances on the road last season.
- The Eaglets lost just a pair of their final 15 Ligue 1 matchups at the Allianz Riviera last season.
- Lille have recorded just a single win from any of their previous 12 trips to the Allianz Riviera – a run that stems back to May 2012.
Conclusion
With their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge this season, Nice should be smelling the chance to make an early statement on Friday night. Clinching a 1-0 win when they welcomed Lille to the Allianz Riviera back on January 29th, the Eaglets will also be excited by a rampant record against their fellow French heavyweights. Winning three of their last four Ligue 1 meetings, it should also be noted that Les Dogues have remarkably notched just one victory from any of their last 12 straight trips Alpes-Maritimes – a run that stems all the way back to May 2012. With Lille recording just a single win from their final eight top-flight contests on the road, we are backing a home double chance here.
Verdict: Nice double chance
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
