The Matchday 21 clash in Ligue 1 between Nice and Lens will take place on February 8 at the Allianz Riviera Stadium. Nice vs. Lens: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Nice
In the previous round, the team shared points away with Toulouse (1-1). Franck Haise's side has been showing decent results, remaining unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 league matches (4 wins, 2 draws). Even in the match they lost during this stretch, Nice managed to score, extending their scoring streak in Ligue 1 to 14 matches. In the standings, the club climbed to the fourth spot.
- Both teams scored in 9 of Nice's last 10 league matches.
- The team is unbeaten at home in 9 Ligue 1 matches (6 wins, 3 draws).
- In their last 6 home games in this tournament, the club has scored at least two goals.
Predicted lineup for Nice (3-4-3)
Marcin Bulka – Melvin Bard, Dante, Youssouf Ndayishimiye – Ali Abdi, Hicham Boudaoui, Baptiste Santamaria, Jonathan Clauss – Mohamed-Ali Cho, Evann Guessand, Gaetan Laborde.
Lens
William Still's side is the closest pursuer of Nice in the standings, trailing by just one point. The team managed to climb into the European competition zone thanks to two consecutive victories: over Angers (1-0) and Montpellier (2-0). Notably, the club has kept a clean sheet in 9 matches this season, and their 18 goals conceded is the best record in the tournament.
- Lens scored first in 6 of their last 8 Ligue 1 games.
- The team is unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 away league matches (5 wins, 5 draws).
- The club has not conceded more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Lens (5-3-2)
Mathew Ryan – Deiver Machado, Facundo Medina, Malang Sarr, Jonathan Gradit, Przemyslaw Frankowski – Neil El Aynaoui, Adrien Thomasson, Andy Diouf – Gael Kakuta, M'Bala Nzola.
Referee
Romain Lissorgue (France)
Matches – 8 (Ligue 1, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 32;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 28;
Penalties – 25%.
Match Prediction: Nice vs. Lens
The most reliable defense in the tournament faces a tough test. Nice has no issues in attack and boasts the third most prolific offense in the current championship. Although Lens managed to hold off their opponent's attack in the first-round home match, replicating that away will be much harder.
Franck Haise's side has a long scoring streak in the league, and at home, Nice has scored in 14 consecutive matches in this tournament. Moreover, in 6 consecutive home games, the team has scored at least twice. At the Allianz Riviera, the hosts have already netted 23 goals, with only PSG scoring more at home (27).
William Still's side concedes on the road, albeit not heavily, but regularly: in 10 of their last 14 Ligue 1 matches. Matches at Nice's home ground have also been unfavorable for the club: in the last five league meetings, Lens has conceded 8 goals. My prediction: Nice Individual Total Over 1
