Prediction: Nice vs Marseille

Verdict: Both teams to score – yes

Best Odds: 10/13

Bookmaker: 888sport

The 2019-20 Ligue 1 season is in full swing already, as teams have already played three matches and we can notice some tendencies with regards to which side might look like a contender. PSG are heavy favourites to win the title once again, but fans shouldn’t sleep on other sides with enough quality to pose a threat. Two of them will meet here, as Nice will host Marseille on Wednesday. Kick-off for this match will be at 20:00 hrs BST.

Nice

Nice have started their season on a strong note, winning their first two Ligue 1 outings while also leading at half-time on both. In fact, Nice have seen that outcome (HT lead + scoring first) in their last five home wins, but they hadn’t conceded a single goal in nine of their last 10 wins at Allianz Riviera. It remains to be seen just how long can Nice keep this going, but after the first two games of the season, they surely look like a team that’s capable of holding their own against most of the team in France’s top-flight. Their first two opponents (Amiens and Nimes) were not exactly top-notch sides, however, so Marseille will represent their first tough test of the campaign. Will they live up to the hype, or will they crumble right when they need to take the next step to be considered as a potential contender for a European berth?

Team News

Youcef Atal (collarbone) and Coly Racine (suspension) have both been ruled out ahead of this match.

They might not be Nice’s lone absentees, however. Walter Benitez (thigh), Danilo (calf), Mohamed Diaby (ankle), Mickael Le Bihan (knee) and Gautier Lloris (groin) have all been listed as doubtful.

Marseille

If Nice’s start to the season has been excellent, then we could qualify Marseille’s one as utterly disappointing. Les Olympians have not won in their first two games, and furthermore, they are yet to score a single goal. Marseille began their 2019-20 Ligue 1 campaign with a 0-2 away loss at home against Reims, and then settled for a scoreless draw at Nantes. If Marseille want to turn things around, however, they must recover the form they evidenced during the 2018/19 season, where they ranked as the third-best attack in Ligue 1 playing away from home. One thing that could boost Marseille’s chances of pulling the upset here is the fact that they register five straight league wins over Nice (regardless if they are playing at home or away). Can they extend that run while also winning for the first time this season? Or will their struggles continue in their second away match of the campaign?

Team News

Marseille do not have any confirmed absentees ahead of this match.

However, former Newcastle man Florian Thauvin could miss this contest due to an ankle injury.

Key Factors to Consider

• Marseille have won each of the past five H2H meetings, including the last two held at this venue.
• Each of the last five H2H meetings have featured at least nine corner kicks (in total).
• Nice have won each of their first two league matches. Both have seen both teams scoring.
• Three of the last five H2H meetings have been both sides scoring. Those three have also had over 2.5 goals scored.
• Marseille have opened the score in three of their last five meetings against Nice.

Conclusion

Nice have started the season on top form, while Marseille have struggled to settle and are yet to score a single goal.

That will change here, however. Expect both sides to score at least once in this match.

Verdict: Both teams to score – yes

Best Odds: 10/13

Bookmaker: 888sport