Lille v Nice

Lille vs Nice Preview

Next up in Ligue 1 in France is this upcoming top five clash between fifth placed Nice and fourth placed visitors, Nice, when the two sides clash at the Decathlon Arena with both teams eager to collect the all-important three points in order to further boost their respective claims for a possible top three finish this season and a place in next season's Champions League.

Lille extended their unbeaten run in the French top flight to a solid looking 13-game period following a 0-0 draw away from home at Auxerre which has left Friday night's hosts just two points shy of third placed Monaco prior to this fixture against Nice.

Nice moved up into fourth place in the Ligue 1 standings after picking up a second win on the trot last time out with a healthy looking 4-2 victory away from home at Reims which followed on from a 3-2 home win against Rennes.

Too many draws in recent times in the French top flight have probably cost Lille a place in the top three already as the hosts have now drawn eight out of their last 13 matches overall in Ligue 1 whilst also picking up five wins in the process as well; victories against Le Havre, Toulouse, Lens, Rennes and Brest will still give the hosts confidence in gaining a result here on Friday night.

Lille bring a six-match unbeaten sequence at home into this upcoming clash at their Decathlon Arena with five of these six games also resulting in both teams scoring.

Nice collected a third win in four games last time out in Ligue 1 with a 4-2 win away from home at Reims and having previously captured important wins against the likes of Le Havre and Rennes along with gaining a point in a 2-2 draw away from home at Montpellier, an away trip to Lille is unlikely to faze the visitors.

The bigger picture seems to enhance this as Nice have been handed just one defeat in their last 13 matches overall in Ligue 1, that coming in the shape of a heavy 4-1 loss away from home at Lyon but the visitors have also collected seven wins within this period as well.

However, results away from home have been less consistent in recent times as Nice have managed to pick up just five wins from their previous 21 outings on the road in the French top flight, slipping to eight defeats along with being involved in eight stalemates as well.

The goals market looks promising though for this upcoming clash at the Decathlon Arena as 13 out of Nice's 17 matches to date this term have seen both teams score.

Lille v Nice Verdict

Five of the last six meetings have resulted in goals for both teams while three of these games have ended in draws.

Therefore, our main bet will be BTTS Yes @ 1.70

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.80

Draw & BTTS Yes @ 4.75