The Ligue 1 Round 16 fixture between Lens and Nice will take place on December 14 at the Bollaert-Delelis Stadium. Lens – Nice: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Lens
Pierre Saja's side continue to surprise. After 15 rounds Lens top the Ligue 1 table, one point ahead of PSG. The club have suffered just one defeat in their last 11 league matches, winning nine of those 11. The last slip-up came in October, a 0-2 loss at Metz. Since then Lens have won five consecutive Ligue 1 games. A week ago they edged Nantes 2-1 away, and have scored at least two goals in four of their last five league matches. Notably, they have conceded 13 goals so far this season — only PSG (12) have conceded fewer.
- Lens have scored in 8 of their last 9 Ligue 1 matches.
- Their home winning run in this competition stretches to 6 matches.
- At least two goals were scored in 8 of the club's last 9 league games.
Predicted line-up for Lens (3-4-3)*
Roben Risser – Malang Sarr, Samson Baidou, Pierre Ganiou – Matthieu Udol, Andrija Bulatović, Mamadou Sangaré, Ruben Aguilar – Wesley Said, Florian Thauvin, Odsonne Édouard.
Midfielder Adrien Thomasson and forward Morgan Guilavogui have returned from suspension. Defender Jonathan Gradit is unavailable due to injury.
Nice
Nice remain in a difficult spell. Last weekend they were favourites to beat Angers at home but lost, suffering their fifth consecutive league defeat. By comparison, before this run the club had lost just 3 of their opening 10 Ligue 1 matches. Nice have slipped to 12th in the table and look closer to the relegation zone than to sixth place, which would secure European qualification.
- The club have conceded 27 goals this season; only three teams have a worse record.
- Nice have scored in 12 of their last 14 Ligue 1 matches.
- Their uncompromising run in this competition stands at 8 matches (5 wins, 3 defeats).
Predicted line-up for Nice (3-5-2)*
Yevann Diouf – Antoine Mendy, Juma Ba, Melvin Bard – Jonathan Clauss, Ali Abdi, Charles Vanhoutte, Tom Luché, Morgan Sanson – Sofiane Diop, Mohamed-Ali Cho.
Midfielder Tom Luché is suspended. Defenders Dante, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Mohamed Abdelmonem and Moïse Bombito, along with forwards Jeremy Boga and Terem Moffi, will miss out through injury.
Referee
Willy Delajod (France)
Matches – 7 (Ligue 1, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 18;
Average yellow cards per match – 2.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 71%.
Prediction for Lens vs. Nice
Lens have been the most consistent team in the division and arrive in good form, particularly at home, where they have been hard to beat this season. Nice are struggling for confidence and have lost five league games on the spin, notably fragile away from home. Given the current form and defensive solidity of the hosts, Lens look well placed to claim three points.
Prediction – Lens to win
* The starting line-ups shown are the teams' most recent line-ups in this competition.