Nice vs Lens Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Nice and Lens begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting fifth and sixth in Ligue 1 with both chasing a top four finish and potential UEFA Champions League qualification this season.

Kick-off date/time: Saturday 8th February, 2025: UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 11:00am / US PT – 8:00am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports

How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports

Nice Preview: Improving Nice

Former Lens boss Franck Haise took charge of Nice last summer and that was a bit of a coup but the southerners started the season slowly. However, they have returned to some form as they begin the match day sitting just outside of the top four ahead of this weekend.

The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Stade Briochin in the Round of 16 of the Coupe de France in their most recent outing during the week but they have suffered just one defeat in their last seven matches in Ligue 1.

Lens Preview: In-form Lens

Lens replaced the aforementioned Haise with former Stade de Reims boss Will Still and, much like Nice, the northerners underperformed at the start of this season but things have been much-improved as they head into this one on the back of three wins in their last four matches.

The visitors come into this one on the back of an impressive and comfortable 2-0 defeat of Montpellier Herault at Stade de la Mosson last weekend thanks to a first minute goal from M’Bala Nzola as well as a second-half strike by winter signing Jeremy Agbonifo.

Nice Team News: A few issues

42-year-old centre-back and club captain Dante has returned to the Nice line-up after being unavailable due to a back injury. They remain without key striker Terem Moffi, though, whilst both Pablo Rosario and Jeremie Boga are doubts for this one.

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Bulka; Ndayishimiye, Dante, Bard; Clauss, Boudaoui, Santamaria, Abdi; Guessand, Cho; Laborde

Unavailable: Sanson (Injured), Moffi (Injured)

Questionable: Rosario (Injured), Boga (Injured)

Lens Team News: Defensive injuries

Lens had a defensive reshuffle during the window with Abdukodir Khusanov leaving for Manchester City but Juma Bah arriving from the same club. Jhoanner Chavez is also missing for Lens through injury with goalkeeper Herve Koffi a doubt due to illness.

Predicted XI (3-5-2): Ryan; Gradit, Sarr, Medina; Frankowski, Thomasson, El Aynaoui, Diouf, Deiver Machado; Nzola, Koyalipou

Unavailable: Jhoanner Chavez (Injured), Aguilar (Injured), Lebeau (Injured), Satriano (Injured)

Questionable: Koffi (Illness), Sotoca (Injured)

Nice vs Lens Prediction

Nice have a squad that should be capable of playing quite an entertaining style of football. The same can be said for Lens and whilst that is still true of both coaches, it could be argued, that despite being ideologically aligned in terms of general cohesive attacking patterns of play, the two sides are focused on pragmatism. With that said, avoiding defeat and earning control is a priority for both sides and they are both evenly matched so a draw would appear a good bet for this one at the Allianz Riviera.

Nice vs Lens Tip: Draw