Nice and Lorient will meet on Sunday, October 2, in the eighth round of Ligue 1.
OGC Nice (1st)
The team coached by Lucien Favre is the pleasant surprise of the early season, after seven stages and managed to occupy leadership chair. Thanks to the excellent balance of five wins and two draws (agg 12-4) team in the city of 360,000 residents is the only unbeaten in this season.
Nice of them can not bring nothing but praise. Being very efficient on the offensive phase (an average of 1.70 goals scored per game), they excel in terms of defensive, having until now, the best defense in Ligue 1. It is also the noted success in confronting the powerful succeeded exciting AS Monaco (4-0), a band which, in turn, impressed in the Champions League parties and the current edition of the championship.
The club from the capital of the Côte d’Azur has every reason to hope for keeping the leading position in clasement after Sunday’s match, the figures are more than encouraging about disputes on the “Allianz Riviera”: 8 wins in the last nine games played in front of their fans .
The only negative aspect is related to developments in the Europa League, losing both disputes Nice group that was assigned (0-1 vs. 2-5 vs. Schalke and Krasnodar). However, it is underlined that, at least in the duel from the middle of this week in Russia, Favre decided to spare a few major players, something which has made many football fans to conclude that the regatta internal precedence.
FC Lorient (16th)
The team from the Atlantic Ocean confirms predictions experts who said before the beginning of the season it will be one of the main Candi relegation. Moreover, the situation was not very different in the previous season, Lorient finished just 6 points above the red line.
Accounting for two wins and five defeats (agg 4-11), the band’s Sylvain Ripoll is antithetical opponent in this round. However, the game in the last stages showed visible signs of improvement, the two successes are being recorded in this period (1-0 vs. 1-0 vs. Lille and Lyon). In particular, the latest triumph is the one that stands out, few people expecting that OL getting stuck on “Stade du Mustoir”. However, it is not insignificant that Lorient lost all the matches played on foreign land this season.
Sunday guests are in the form of a comeback, but it remains to be seen to what extent the good results are sustained, the individual value of players is not very high.
direct meetings
Nice tip the balance in its favor in terms of direct confrontations of the past two seasons, establishing himself in two of the four disputes (other two ending in a draw). Also, the hosts scored at least two goals in the successes mentioned above.
probable
The biggest problem facing Lucien Favre is linked to the health of Mario Balotelli, who, after the transfer or, scored five times. Moreover, it is bothering the cold that caused Italian footballer and his replacement since the game 43 minutes from Krasnodar. According to medical staff, is trying to recover up to game time, currently being said uncertain, with Mathieu Bodmer.
Gautier Lloris, Mickael Le Bihan and Maxime Le Marchand are injured and will not play for Nice.
The guests have to turn serious problems. Benjamin Jeannot is suspended, while Pape Paye field will not be present due to medical problems. Also Linday Rose, Sylvain Marveaux and Wesley Lautoa are uncertain.
Nice: Cardinale – Sarr, Dante, Baysee – Dalbert, Seri, Cyprien, Bodmer, Souquet – Plea, Belhanda
Lorient: Lecomte – Moreira, Toure, Ciani, Goff – Bellugou – Cabot, Mvuemba, Cafu, BARTHELMIE – Moukandjo
