Nice vs Nantes
French Ligue 1 – 2016/17
Date: Sunday, 30th October 2016,
Kick-Off at 14:00 UK.
Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice.
Ligue 1 leaders Nice will bid to preserve their unbeaten record and four point advantage at the top of the table when they welcome Rene Girard’s Nantes to Allianz Riviera in Sunday’s early kick-off.
Les Aiglons are clear of Monaco and PSG at the head of affairs after a thrilling 2-4 success at Metz on match day 10 where striker Alassane Plea fired a hat-trick to prove himself a more than able deputy for the injured Mario Balotelli.
Balotelli is suffering from an abductor tear and is likely to miss out again this weekend for the visit of Nantes who will be seeking to end Nice’s tremendous run of eight wins and two draws from ten Ligue 1 outings.
Les Canaris finished 14th last term and currently occupy the same position in the table after three wins, two draws and five defeats from ten played.
A 2-1 Coupe De La Ligue victory over Angers in midweek will have rejuvenated Girard’s squad to some extent, after a 1-2 home reversal to Rennes on match day 10 and the visitors will take heart from their recent head to head record with Nice going into Sunday’s contest.
Indeed you can’t rule out Nantes in this one as they completed a Ligue 1 double over Nice last season, despite finishing ten places below their rivals in the final league standings. Les Canaris also earned draws at Allianz Riviera in the previous two campaigns.
However, its clear Nice have ratcheted up a level or two from their fine fourth place finish last season and at the moment their stats are difficult to ignore and oppose.
Lucien Favre’s side have won five and drawn one from six Ligue 1 matches at Allianz Riviera this term, scoring 13 goals in the process.
We’ll take them to strike again this Sunday afternoon and provide a firm response to PSG and Monaco who will both fancy their chances of closing the gap earlier in the weekend against Lille and St Etienne respectively.
Nice vs Nantes: Head-to-Head Stats
Nantes are unbeaten in the last 6 matches against Nice in all competitions, with 4 wins and 2 draws. They earned a 2-1 win in the corresponding fixture at Nice last season and 1-0 win in the reverse fixture at home.
The defeat at home last season is Nice’s only defeat in Ligue 1 at Allianz Rivera in 9 matches. However, there were 6 draws during the period and Nice picked up 2 wins.
Nice vs Nantes: Prediction
Nice’s recent results are against the odds and they look like a side who can carry on the good run. Also, the head-to-head stats can be excluded and attention shall be paid to their current form. Nantes despite having a good record against Nice, are coming on the back of some poor results. And the position close to relegation zone is something that adds extra pressure. They haven’t thrived under pressure so far and Sunday won’t different.
Nice vs Nantes: Betting Tips
Nice to beat Nantes at 2.00 (1/1)
Over 1.5 goals for Nantes at 2.10 (11/10).
