Nice - Lens predictions

Lens will give Nice a run for their money and there is no doubt about it. However, at 2.39 odds on home win in this match, we still recommend backing the hosts.

Lens is a team that doesn't shy away from a challenge and we anticipate them giving their all in this matchup.

Despite high expectations and a small lead at halftime, Nice ended up tying with Toulouse in the previous round. A draw in an away game is not strictly terrible news, but it’s hard to not feel like they missed an opportunity there.

Lens are coming off of a decisive 0:2 victory against Montpellier in the previous round. They controlled the pace of the entire match and ended their visit with a convincing lead and three points towards the coveted Ligue 1 title.

With over 5 goals over their past 3 home games, Nice is not a team you want to meet at home. They’ll be looking to extend this trend as much as possible, so Lens will need to be careful.

Lens netted 6 goals in the last three away games, implying a very strong attack-minded performance even as visitors.

Nice are 1 point behind the top few positions in the standings. Keeping the current 5th spot would net them a Europa League qualification, but even that will not be easy.

Placed at number 6th in the standings, Lens have clear ambitions to move a bit further up the table. They’ll need 1 point to reach a Europa League qualifying spot, and have close to half the season left to get there. Of course, even a single point this round will be a success considering the uphill battle that awaits them in Allianz Riviera.

The home team had several opportunities to beat Lens this season, yet never managed to get anything other than a draw. They’re still considered the favourites, though, and the home-field advantage might be just what they need to break the stalemate.

The visitors’ status as underdogs is further made worse by the exceptionally high number of injuries going into this match. Florian Sotoca, Ruben Aguilar, Jhoanner Chávez Quintero, Hervé Koffi, Denis Petrić, Martín Satriano will all be unable to play at Allianz Riviera, so think twice before putting down any bets.

These teams are relatively close in terms of form, so our suggestion is to go for a Draw result. However, lengthening the odds with a Draw/Draw HT/FT bet is an even better option. It pushes the odds to 2.39 while the risks remain largely the same.