Nice vs Lille Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this Ligue 1 cracker between Nice and Lille. The lads from Nice are sitting 8th with 14 points, while Lille are flying high in 5th on 17 points, and there's a proper gulf in form between these two sides.

Nice have been a bit of a mixed bag lately, haven't they? They've had some proper decent results - that 3-2 win against Lyon at home was top drawer, and grabbing a 2-1 win at Rennes shows they can travel. But then they go and ship four at Brest and three at Le Havre. It's proper Jekyll and Hyde stuff from the boys on the Côte d'Azur. One thing's for certain though - they'll likely concede. They've kept just one clean sheet in their last ten games, and both teams have scored in 90% of those matches.

Lille, on the other hand, are absolutely purring right now. They're banging in 2.4 goals per game and look dangerous every time they go forward. That 6-1 hammering of Metz was proper stuff, and don't forget that incredible 7-1 away day at Lorient earlier in the season. They did slip up against PAOK in the Europa, but in the league they're looking sharp. They're averaging 17.4 shots per game compared to Nice's 10.6, and they're seeing more of the ball too.

When these two have met, it's been pretty even stevens - three wins each and three draws. But here's the interesting bit: both teams have scored in six of those nine meetings, and we've seen over 2.5 goals in six as well. The last time they met ended 1-2, so there's goals in this fixture.

Nice's home form isn't too bad mind you - 50% win rate at their place. But Lille's away form is even better at 75%. The stats are pointing one way here, but football's funny like that.

Looking at the betting, I'm quite fancying both teams to score. Nice leak goals but can find the net at home, while Lille are scoring for fun. At 1.62, it looks about right, but given Nice's defensive record and Lille's attack, there might be a bit of value there.