Nice vs Lens Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is a huge game at both ends of the table in Ligue 1 on Saturday evening as title challenging Lens go to relegation-battling Nice.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime PPV & Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Nice preview: Struggling southerners showing fight
Nice have shown real fight in recent weeks as they begin this weekend's round of fixtures sitting just above the bottom three and the danger zone and not yet assured of avoiding being dragged into that relegation playoff place.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Olympique de Marseille at Stade Velodrome in the Derby de la Cote d'Azur last weekend, courtesy of a late equaliser scored by former Marseille striker Elye Wahi with a 'Panenka' from the penalty spot.
Lens preview: Faltering Lens
They now face a Lens side that were in a brilliant position to potentially topple Paris Saint-Germain at the top-of-the-table but it has been a difficult couple of months for the northerners as they now slip to six points behind the defending champions, albeit still to play the Parisians.
Lens did manage to show some revolve at Stade Francis-le Ble against Stade Brest last weekend as they came from 3-0 down to earn a 3-3 draw in the second-half with goals scored by Florian Thauvin, Abdallah Sima and Allan Saint-Maximin.
Nice team news: Ndayishimiye close
Versatile defensive midfielder Youssouf Ndayishimiye is close to returning to action for Nice alongside centre-back Mohamed Abdelmonem, with fellow defender Moise Bombito remaining sidelined alongside Everton.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Diouf; Mendy, Juma Bah, Peprah Oppong; Clauss, Boudaoui, Abdul Samed, Sanson, Bard; Cho, Wahi
Unavailable: Moise Bombito (Injured), Everton (Injured)
Questionable: Abdelmonem (Injured), Ndayishimiye (Injured)
Lens team news: Masuaku suspended
Former Sunderland and West Ham United left-back Arthur Masuaku is missing through suspension for this one, with defensive duo Kyllian Antonio Anderson and Jonathan Gradit are sidelined.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Risser; Ganiou, Sarr, Baidoo; Aguilar, Sangare, Thomasson, Udol; Sotoca, Said; Sima
Unavailable: Gurtner (Injured), Anderson (Injured), Gradit (Injured), Masuaku (Suspended)
Questionable:
Nice vs Lens prediction
Lens do have the Coupe de France final to look forward to but their title challenge has been undermined by just two victories in their last eight matches in Ligue 1. Nice are showing some fight of their own, and will be Lens' opponents in that cup final in May, but focus remains on securing survival. Siding with the hosts may well actually be a decent value bet for this one, given the form of the two sides of late.
Nice vs Lens tip: Double chance - Nice to win or draw
