Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Ligue 1 clash between Lyon and Nice, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two of Ligue 1‘s biggest clubs are set to clash when Lyon host Nice this Sunday at Groupama Stadium in France’s top flight.
Burdened by the potential of an impending demotion due to financial issues, Lyon are currently sixth in the table with 19 points from 12 games, while Nice are one place above with 20 points from their 12 fixtures.
Match preview
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The biggest story about Lyon at the moment is undoubtedly the provisional demotion to Ligue 2 and transfer ban announced by France’s Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion.
Lyon still have time to rectify the situation through player sales for example, but time is running out for the historic club to avoid the drop which is mandated to occur irrespective of the club’s position in the league.
Working under these difficult circumstances, manager Pierre Sage‘s side occupy France’s UEFA Conference League qualification spot and have lost just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions, though they have won just two of their most-recent six.
In Ligue 1, Les Gones have fared slightly better having won four of their last seven games, though they played out a disappointing 1-1 draw with eighth-placed Reims last time out.
In that game, Lyon had a dominant 59% possession and took the advantage through a first-half header from Rayan Cherki, but eventually surrendered the lead early in the second half when Oumar Diakite struck home from close range following a corner.
This weekend, boss Sage will be desperate to beat Nice in what could be described as a ‘six-pointer’ for the European qualification spots, especially given Nice’s extensive injury list, but it must be said that Lyon have scored the joint-fewest goals in France’s top six as well as conceding the joint-most.
Three points on Sunday would be particularly valuable for Lyon considering the potential for a difficult second part of the campaign after the inevitable loss of talent that they will incur when forced to sell their players in the January transfer window.
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Nice manager Franck Haise is also in charge of a club with an interesting off-field story this season, though not one with implications quite as damaging as Lyon’s potential demotion.
Haise joined Les Aiglons this summer alongside sporting director Florian Maurice, and given the club’s association with Ineos and Manchester United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, this period of transition at Nice has attracted interest.
Former RC Lens boss Haise’s side are currently in Ligue 1’s Europa League qualification spot, and are unbeaten in their last eight league games, winning four and drawing four in that period.
However, last time out Nice suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat at home in the Europa League against Rangers, and Haise lamented that what has been described as an injury crisis is impacting results.
In that game, Les Aiglons conceded three first-half goals and were losing 4-0 before Badredine Bouanani managed a late consolation goal, and Nice will be hoping to erase any memory of Thursday’s thrashing with a strong performance against league rivals Lyon.
Lyon Ligue 1 form:
Lyon form (all competitions):
Nice Ligue 1 form:
Nice form (all competitions):
Team News
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Lyon manager Sage will be without goalkeeper Anthony Lopes and young midfielder Amadou Diawara for Nice’s visit this weekend.
However, the ever-reliable Alexandre Lacazette and the exciting Cherki should be in line to start up front for Les Gones.
As for Nice, captain and versatile defensive player Youssouf Ndayishimiye was withdrawn with an injury against Rangers and he is now a doubt for Sunday’s clash.
Amidst an injury crisis, Haise could opt to start Tom Louchet and Melvin Bard as full-backs, though he will still be unable to call upon Terrem Moffi and Morgan Sanson.
Elsewhere, Nice also have doubts about the fitness of Mohamed Abdelmonem, Antoine Mendy, Jonathan Clauss, Ali Abdi and Victor Orakpo ahead of their trip to Lyon.
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Perri; Maitland-Niles, Caleta-Car, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Veretout, Matic, Tolisso; Cherki, Lacazette, Fofana
Nice possible starting lineup:
Bulka; Louchet, Bombito, Dante, Bard; Boudaoui, Rosario, Diop; Cho, Guessand, Boga
We say: Lyon 2-1 Nice
Lyon will be keen to focus on the pitch and pick up three points against Nice, while Les Aiglons will want to give a response to Thursday’s humiliating result in Europe.
However, Nice’s injury list may prove too large to overcome on Sunday, and Lyon are likely to get the win over their league rivals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
