Lorient vs Nice Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Lorient vs Nice on and what time does it start? Lorient vs Nice will take place on Saturday 19th August, 2023 – 14:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Lorient vs Nice? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Lorient vs Nice on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Lorient vs Nice
Where can I stream Lorient vs Nice in the UK? If Lorient vs Nice is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
LORIENT
Lorient have had a controversial summer with the signing of Benjamin Mendy and Romain Faivre joining on loan from affiliate club Bournemouth after being signed for The Cherries from Olympique Lyonnais. Under the management of Regis Le Bris, who had never been a first team head coach before he took charge of Lorient last season, will be looking to build on their top-half finish last year and push towards the top five and the European qualification spots.
The home team began the 2023/24 Ligue 1 campaign with an impressive point at the Parc des Princes away to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain. They held on for a goalless draw in a game that was totally dominated by PSG, as is to be expected. The Parisiens had 20 shots to Lorient’s four, four shots on target to nil, 78% of the ball and 1001 passes in comparison to Lorient’s 286.
NICE
Last season, after a bizarre Anglo-centric summer transfer window, OGC Nice sacked Lucien Faivre mid-way through the campaign due to significant underperformance and the former Borussia Dortmund boss was replaced by former Middlesbrough manager Didier Digard as caretaker until the end of the season. Digard performed well but has been replaced over the summer by former Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor boss Francesco Farioli.
The southerners began the season with a respectable 1-1 draw at home to a Lille side who have similar ambitions as them of finishing in the top five. The hosts started well with an early Gaetan Laborde goal but Lille equalised deep into second-half stoppage-time to frustrate Nice on the opening day.
THE TEAM NEWS
LORIENT
Regis Le Bris, as a young coach, is an innovative and progressive coach, despite the end of match stats from their goalless draw with PSG last week. They have several injuries and unavailable players but none of those played last week so it could and should well be an unchanged side for the home side.
PREDICTED XI (5-4-1): Mvogo; Kalulu, Meite, Laporte, Talbi, Le Goff; Faivre, Abergel, Makengo, Le Bris; Dieng
UNAVAILABLE: Boisgard (Injured), Mendy (Injured), Tosin (Injured), Kari (Injured), Silva (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
NICE
Francesco Farioli’s preferred formation is a 4-3-3 system with his spell in Turkey being about proactive and attacking football. With no fresh injuries, albeit the absence of Alexis Claude-Maurice remains a blow, Nice are expected to name an unchanged side for this away clash.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bulka; Attal, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Thuram; Laborde, Moffi, Boga
UNAVAILABLE: Claude-Maurice (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
For different reasons and in different ways, both of these sides will seek to be upwardly mobile and pushing towards the European spots which they both missed out on last season. Lorient will go about their business in a smart and calculate manner, as they do off the pitch. Nice, on the other hand, are likely to be a bit more gung-ho this season under Francesco Farioli. These appear two teams at different stages of their development so, with their home advantage too, a double chance bet in favour of Lorient looks the way to go for this one.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – LORIENT TO WIN OR DRAW
