Friday’s Ligue 1 clash looks to be a one-sided encounter according to the bookmakers.
Lyon are 6/19 (1.32) favourites to register a third victory in four matches with 888Sport. Nice, now coached by former Manchester City and Arsenal man Patrick Vieira, are 15/2 (8.50) to spring a big shock and the draw is a 43/10 (5.30) chance with the same firm.
Vieira though, has come under some early criticism just weeks into his managerial career in France. Following a 4-0 home defeat to Dijon, Nice midfielder Wylan Cyprien said: “The coach hasn’t yet found the formula to get the best performance possible. It hurts, especially at home, but I’m staying positive.”
So far Nice have played Reims, Caen and Dijon – taking just one point. Reims are a newly promoted side while the others finished 11th and 16th in the table last season; hardly stellar opposition and there will be much tougher tests to come.
By contrast, Lyon have won their two home games thus far, triumphing 2-0 on each occasion and there looks to be some value in backing them to heap more misery on the visitors.
Mario Balotelli is back from suspension for Nice but the 28-year-old is just the type of personality to sulk if things aren’t going his way and banking on him to hit the ground running seems a risky strategy.
Given Nice’s issues going forward and frustration in some parts of the dressing room, backing the hosts to keep a clean sheet makes sense.
888Sport are Evens (2.0) about Nice scoring under 0.5 team goals – essentially failing to score – and that looks a solid pick.
Last season Lyon kept nine clean sheets at home in Ligue 1, seven of them came against teams who finished tenth or lower in Ligue 1. They’ve also recorded two more in two home games so far this campaign.
Nice were 8th last term but under their new manager they look more likely to be focused on the bottom half of the table. Until they show some spark going forward, Evens (2.0) seems a good price on them failing to get on the scoresheet for the third time in four matches.
Under 0.5 Nice goals at Evens (2.0) for a 1pt stake with 888Sport
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