Nice vs Toulouse Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It looks to be a troubling period for Nice as they take on perennially mid-table Toulouse down on the south coast at the Allianz Riviera on the opening day of the campaign.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports Connect
Nice preview: Issues for Nice
INEOS have already declared that they aren’t that interested in Nice, but rather Manchester United, and Nice have struggled at the start of this season already, too, after a couple of months of poor business leaving them with a small squad.
Their opening couple of competitive matches of the campaign have seen them eliminated from the UEFA Champions League at the third qualifying round stage with a couple of 2-0 defeats to Portuguese giants Benfica.
Toulouse preview: Toulouse need to kick on
Under the management of Carlos Martinez Novell, Toulouse have been firmly ensconced in the middle-of-the-table ever since they returned to the top-flight of French football a couple of years ago as they play a blunt but easy on the eye style.
Over the summer, they haven’t lost many players and their incomings have been quite few, too, with Santiago Hidalgo arriving from Independiente, Mario Sauer from MSK Zilina, as well as Abu Francis joining from Cercle Brugge.
Nice team news: A few issues
It is not a great situation for Nice to begin the season with so many issues as Youssouf Ndayishimiye among those sidelined, whilst Dante and Tanguy Ndombele are doubts.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Diouf; Mendy, Juma Bah, Peprah Oppong; Clauss, Louchet, Coulibaly, Bard; Bouanani; Moffi, Jansson
Unavailable: Abdelmonem (Injured), Ndayishimiye (Injured), Sanson (Injured)
Questionable: Dante (Injured), Boudaoui (Injured), Ndombele (Injured), Cho (Injured)
Toulouse team news: Cristian Casseres Jr suspended
Venezuelan midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr is unavailable for the opening day due to suspension, whilst a couple others are injury issues, such as new signing Abu Francis.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Restes; Sidibe, Cresswell, McKenzie; Kamanzi, Sierro, Sauer, Donnum; Gboho, Magri, Santiago Hidalgo
Unavailable: Francis (Injured), Cristian Casseres Jr (Suspended), Schmidt (Injured), Messali (Injured), Azizi (Injured)
Questionable: Nicolaisen (Injured)
Nice vs Toulouse prediction
Nice appear to be a bit of a rabble this season, off the pitch as well as on it, with their squad not looking too strong whatsoever. The southerners will still be expected to go reasonably well in this competition and push towards the top four and the European spots in Ligue 1. Toulouse have struggled in pre-season and their project appears to be stagnating too so a low-scoring, low quality encounter on the opening day seems a reasonable bet.
Nice vs Toulouse tip: Under 2.5 goals
