Big Game Focus: Lyon v Nice

Ligue 1 action will continue on Friday as Lyon are set to host Nice. It’s two of the bigger teams in France, so here is a look at the match of the day with a few betting tips.

Lyon will host Nice who are desperate for their first win of the season, but the hosts will prove to be tough opposition in their way. The visitors are yet to find rhythm since the appointment of Patrick Vieira and this will present a totally different challenge for the new man in charge.

The head-to-head record between the two sides points to an advantage for the home team who have won 25 matches out of their 48 encounters. The visitors have only managed ten wins and 13 of those fixtures have ended in draws.

Lyon are considered hot favorites to challenge PSG for the title and this will be a major test for Vieira who is relatively inexperienced at the very highest level. He did a good job with Manchester City reserves as well as with New York City FC when he led them to a runners up finish in MLS.

Whether he can replicate his success here will remain to be seen but he could just register his intentions with a good showing here.

Betting preview

Lyon have four clean sheets in their last seven league games whilst Nice are struggling for goals in the new season. They have only managed one goal in their last three games and you can back Both Teams to Score No at odds of 1.75 here.

Les Gones have won 11 of their last 13 league matches and haven’t drawn since March. They will be facing a side who are yet to register a win in the new season and you can back a Home Win at odds of 1.35 here.

The last three meetings between the two sides have seen Over 2.5 Goals scored. Therefore you can back Over 2.5 Goals at odds of 1.55 this way.

Team news

Lyon’s Amine Gouiri is still out until at least March of next year whilst Fernando Marcal is still a doubt. Jason Denayer could make his debut for the club since signing from Manchester City though.

Youcef Attal and Mouez Hassan are both out until at least next month for Nice. Mario Balotelli could make his return for the Eaglets as he has finished his suspension and he recently dismissed any transfer rumours surrounding him.

Probable line ups

Lyon: Lopes, Rafael, Marcelo, Morel, Mendy,NDombele, Toursat, Pape Diop, Traore, Depay, Terrier.

Nice: Cardinale, Tameze, Herelle, Dante,Boscagli, Cyprien, Danilo Barbosa, Lees Melou, Srarfi, Saint Maximin, Maolida.