Nice vs Lyon Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Nice vs Lyon on and what time does it start? Nice vs Lyon will take place on Sunday 27th August, 2023 – 19:45 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Nice vs Lyon? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Nice vs Lyon on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Nice vs Lyon
Where can I stream Nice vs Lyon in the UK? If Nice vs Lyon is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
NICE
Nice, with their INEOS ownership and relatively bizarre recruitment structure, remain a big spending and ambitious club but the southerners have continued to underperform in recent seasons. Les Aiglons finished the 2022/23 season in mid-table after having to sack Lucien Faivre mid-way through the campaign and replace him with former Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard, who hadn’t actually completed all of the relevant coaching badges.
Ahead of this season, Digard has moved on and been replaced by former Fatih Karagumruk and Alanyaspor manager Francesco Farioli. Farioli’s reign at the Allianz Riviera has started with back-to-back 1-1 draws, fairly typical of the ‘both teams to score’ nature of Farioli’s time in Turkey. Firstly they shared an opening day 1-1 draw at home to Lille in which the opposition equalised in the 94th minute and then they drew 1-1 at Lorient, in which the opposition equalised in the 77th minute.
LYON
Last season Peter Bosz was sacked fairly early on with Olympique Lyonnais continuing to underperform. He was replaced by France legend Laurent Blanc and the former Manchester United defender guided them into a top-half finish but never really threatened the European spots. Over the summer, though, Blanc has discussed issues at the club and has even suggested that he doesn’t know how long he will or should remain in charge.
They began the season with a fine performance against Strasbourg but were eventually defeated by two goals to one and they followed that up with a 4-1 annihilation at the hands of Montpellier Herault at Parc OL last weekend. Blanc, in his post-match interview, suggested the best way to solve the issues with Lyon would be to ‘sack the manager’. Things aren’t going well on the pitch and unrest is building off it.
THE TEAM NEWS
NICE
Francesco Farioli has a couple of injuries for this weekend’s encounter against Lyon but the most irritating absence will be that of injured forward, Alexis Claude-Maurice.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Bulka; Attal, Rosario, Dante, Bard; Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Thuram; Laborde, Guessand, Diop
UNAVAILABLE: Claude-Maurice (Injured), Mendy (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LYON
Lyon appear to be in absolute disarray and suspended captain Alexandre Lacazette is a good way of showing that. They are also without new signing Clinton Mata as well as key players Antony Lopes, Dejan Lovren and Corentin Tolisso.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Riou; Kumbedi, Caleta-Car, Diomande, Tagliafico; Caqueret, Lepenant; Barcola, Cherki, Jeffinho; Kadewere
UNAVAILABLE: Lacazette (Suspended), Tolisso (Injured), Mata (Injured), Lovren (Injured), Lopes (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
On paper, this should be an intriguing encounter between two evenly matched sides but, quite frankly, it could be a one-sided humiliation for the visitors. Nice will be frustrated to have blown two leads so far this season but they remain unbeaten and a victory is around the corner. Lyon are an absolute mess and with their available standout players, Bradley Barcola and Rayan Cherki, the subjects of strong transfer interest, it could become even more miserable for OL. Nice, especially at the Allianz Riviera, should win this one quite comfortably.
TIP: NICE TO WIN
