Nice vs Lorient: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Nice host Lorient in Ligue 1, a game which will have major implications at both ends of the table in the race for Europe and bid to avoid relegation.

Date: 19/04/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: Allianz Riviera

Despite a difficult run of form, Nice still find themselves in a strong position to qualify for Europe. They currently occupy fifth place, which would see them enter the Europa League group stages next season. However, they are just five points behind fourth place Lille with six games to play. They are also looking over their shoulders at the likes of Lens and Reims, who trail by just one and four points respectively. Victory this weekend will be crucial if they are to solidify their current spot. Defeat could see them fall in the table.

Lorient, in contrast, are fighting to retain their top flight status. In 16th, they would be in the relegation play-off, though they are level on points with Metz who are in 17th as they look to avoid relegation outright. They are still well within reach of escaping altogether, with just five points separating them and Nantes in 14th. Three points could go a long way in their battle for survival. Defeat would leave them in an even more precarious position.

With 52 goals conceded, Lorient have the worst defence in the league, but they come up against a Nice side who are bottom three in goals scored. In their last five league games, the hosts have scored just six goals, in the same period Lorient have let in nine. Goal scoring is also an issue for the visitors with 16 strikes away from home. They can, however, rely on the services of Mohamed Bamba, who has scored six goals in 10 appearances. Terem Moffi will be the main threat for the hosts, with 10 goals this season.

There has not been much to split the two sides in the last five meetings, with Nice winning two to Lorient’s one. The last two games have ended in 1-1 draws, whilst each of the wins were decided by just one goal, highlighting the competitiveness between the two.

Nice

Nice have a few players out with injury, though are hopeful they return later this month. Sofiane Diop, Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Valentin Rosier have all been absent.

Lorient

Lorient should have a mostly fit squad to choose from. The only absentee is defender Montassar Talbi, who has a shoulder injury.

Nice

In their last five games, Nice have won one, drawn one and lost three. It has been a difficult period for Nice as they have struggled to pick up wins. This run started with a 2-1 home loss to Montpellier, in which they got off to a poor start with Jean-Clair Todibo scoring an own goal after 10 minutes. The hosts immediately responded through Jeremie Boga, but went behind again before the break as Teji Tedy Savanier converted from the penalty spot.

They faced a tough test in PSG away from home in their next fixture, and they fell to a 3-1 defeat in the French Cup quarter-final. Kylian Mbappe put the league leaders in front, before Fabian Ruiz doubled the lead. Gaetan Laborde halved the deficit before the break, but Lucas Beraldo restored PSG’s two-goal advantage. A return to league action followed, and they recorded their only win of this stretch with a 3-1 victory at Lens. They were a goal up early through Terem Moffi, and the striker scored another from the spot after Khephren Thuram netted a second. Elye Wahi bagged a consolation but it was too late to mount a comeback.

Despite the win, they were unable to carry any momentum into their next game, as they lost 2-1 at home to Nantes. They fell a goal down in the first-half, but Moffi converted another penalty to level it. Parity was not restored for long, however, with Mostafa Mohamed scoring a penalty of his own to regain Nantes’ lead. Their most recent game was a 0-0 draw at Reims. It was a very even game but neither side could find the breakthrough.

Lorient

In their last five games, Lorient have won one, drawn one and lost three. Similarly to their opponents, they have found difficulty in recording wins. Their only victory came at the beginning of this stretch, as they were 2-1 winners away at Rennes. After a goalless first half, Mohamed Bamba put them in front, before Eli Junior Kroupi created some separation in the 90th minute. It proved to be a crucial goal as Amine Gouri pulled one back in stoppage time for the hosts. They could not build on this win as they lost 2-0 at home to Lyon. Nicolas Tagliafico and Mama Balde were the second half goalscorers for the visitors.

They were able to clinch a dramatic 2-2 draw at Monaco in their next game, in which each side had a player sent off. Wilfried Singo got Lorient off to the perfect start with a goal in the opening minute. However, this was cancelled out when Formose Mendy put the ball in his own net. Youssouf Fofana turned it around to give Monaco their first lead. Denis Zakaria saw red first with nine minutes to play, before Lorient’s Tosin Aiyegun followed suit shortly after. They were able to escape with a point, though, with Tiemoue Bakayako netting a 95th minute equaliser.

Another late goal occurred against Brest, but this time they were on the wrong end. Despite holding their opponents to just two shots on target, one of those attempts found the back of the net in the 86th minute, to condemn them to a disappointing defeat. Their most recent game was a trip to Montpellier, where they once again fell to a loss. Both goals came in the second period as they were defeated 2-0.

Neither side are in good form, but we expect the hosts Nice to come away with victory due to their superior quality and home advantage, which will allow them to keep pace with the top four – Nice 2-1 Lorient

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Nice vs Lorient will be available to watch on TNT Sports 2.

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