Lens-Nice is a Ligue 1 match of the twenty-first day and is played on Wednesday at 21:00: statistics, likely formations, predictions.
Lens find themselves just three points behind a Psg side that only a few weeks ago seemed unreachable. A gap that could have been even smaller if the Sang et Or had not lost precious points in the last two league trips, in which they were stopped by Strasbourg (2-2) and Troyes (1-1), two teams fighting not to be relegated.
At home, however, the Giallorossi confirmed their usual steamroller form and have perhaps few equals in Europe at the moment. Ten wins out of ten for Franck Haise’s men, who in front of their own public did better than Psg themselves, scoring 22 goals and conceding barely seven. Even the Parisians themselves in the New Year’s big match had to surrender to what is now the ‘law’ of the ‘Bollaert-Delelelis’ stadium. He may not have the champions in the squad that his colleague Christophe Galtier does, but the Lens coach, despite having only been coaching at senior level for four seasons, is proving that he is equal to those with twice as much experience. Facing his team is by no means simple: the Giallorossi shine in terms of organisation, but above all in terms of intensity, which is higher than that of most Ligue 1 teams. They attack all together and defend very compactly. The feeling is that Psg will have them on their heels until the very end, while remaining the big favourite for the title.
Lens don’t miss a beat at home
Among the big disappointments in the French top flight are Nice, who are tenth in the table at the halfway point of the season, far from Europe.
A few weeks ago the club was forced to sack coach Lucien Favre, who had returned to the Côte d’Azur after his time at Borussia Dortmund. The Swiss coach suffered a fatal defeat in the Coupe de France against modest Le Puy. Since then, the Rossoneri have not lost. With ferryman Didier Digard on the bench came two home victories – including a resounding 6-1 win at Montpellier – and an away draw.
The Prediction
Lens have shown no weaknesses at home this year: Haise’s men excel every time they play in front of their home crowd. Success should come against a convalescent and in any case less surrendering Nice than a month ago. The total number of goals is likely to be less than four.
Lens v Nice likely line-up
- LENS (3-4-2-1): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Samed, Fofana, Machado; Sotoca, Thomasson; Openda.
- NICE (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Ramsey, Boudaoui, Thuram; Bouanani, Laborde, Diop.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-0
