Nice vs Le Mans Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Neglected Nice are again expected to struggle in Ligue 1 this season as the southerners now welcome newly-promoted Le Mans to the Allianz Riviera on Saturday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / USA – beIN Sports Connect
Nice preview: Neglected Nice
INEOS, the ownership group of Nice, have been outspoken in their preference for simply dealing with matters associated to Manchester United and that left Nice in a relegation play-off last season and, likely, another battle this time around.
Under the management of former Lorient boss Olivier Pantaloni, Nice started the 2026-27 Ligue 1 season with a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Paris FC after they had begun the campaign with a goalless draw against Lorient in Southern France.
Le Mans preview: Throwing some punches
Le Mans are back in the French top-flight for the first time in 15 years and they are expected to be competitive for much of the season, as has been the case in their opening couple of games.
In their opener, they shared an entertaining 2-2 draw with Stade Brest before then succumbing to a 3-2 loss to a strong Stade Rennais side, conceding a 96th minute winner from the spot in that game scored by Esteban Lepaul.
Nice team news: Several absentees
Injury prone Canada international centre-back Moise Bombito is missing once again alongside key full-back Ali Abdi and new signing Laurent Abergel.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Diouf; Mendy, Ndayishimiye, Mandza; Clauss, Coulibaly, Pereira, Ngoumou; Hein, Diop; Diallo
Unavailable: Moise Bombito (Injured), Abdi (Injured), Sanson (Injured), Abergel (Injured)
Questionable:
Le Mans team news: Sidibe suspended
Former Everton defender Djibril Sidibe was sent off against Rennes last weekend and the Frenchman is now missing through suspension ahead of the trip down south.
Predicted XI (3-2-2-3): Hatfout; Boisse, Eyoum, Raul Torrente; Bamba, Lauray; Buades, Bourabas; Mafouta, Rabillard, Gueye
Unavailable: Sidibe (Suspended), Larouci (Injured)
Questionable: Kocik (Injured), Yohou (Injured), Colas (Injured)
Nice vs Le Mans prediction
Le Mans have thrown some punches in their opening couple of games. Last season, the visitors were resilient and have a well rounded grounding and awareness of what they are capable of with the impressive management of Patrick Videira. Videira and his side will be targeting this game with Nice already in a tough spot and so siding with the visitors may well be a good value bet for this one.
Nice vs Le Mans tip: Double chance – Le Mans to win or draw
