The Matchday 1 clash in Ligue 1 between Nice and Toulouse will take place on August 16 at the Allianz Riviera Stadium. Nice vs. Toulouse: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Nice
Last season, the team finished 4th in the French Championship, marking their best result since the 2016/17 season when Nice finished third. The club's high scoring in the previous Ligue 1 campaign is noteworthy, as they scored 66 times, ranking third in goals scored in the tournament, behind only PSG (92) and Marseille (74). This was the best offensive performance in the French Championship since the 1984/85 season when they scored 72 goals. Notably, Nice performed strongly in home matches in the previous Ligue 1 season, going unbeaten in 15 out of 17 games (11 wins, 4 draws), conceding the fewest goals at home – 15. During the offseason, the club played six friendly matches, winning four (1 draw, 1 loss). However, they were eliminated from the Champions League, losing twice in the qualifiers to Benfica with a score of 0-2.
In the summer, Nice lost their top scorers from the last championship – Evann Guessand and Gaetan Laborde, who scored 23 goals between them, as well as their main goalkeeper Marcin Bulka. To replace them, they signed goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf from Reims and Swedish forward Isak Jansson from Rapid.
- The club won 9 of their last 12 home matches in Ligue 1 (1 draw, 2 losses).
- Nice scored at least twice in 10 of their last 14 home games in this tournament.
- At least 3 goals were scored in 6 of the last 8 matches of the team in the championship.
Predicted lineup for Nice (3-4-3)
Yehvann Diouf – Kodjo Oppong, Djuma Ba, Antoine Mendy – Jonathan Clauss, Tom Lush, Djibril Koulibaly – Badredine Bouanani, Isak Jansson, Terem Moffi.
The team is dealing with a string of injuries, with defenders Dante, Ali Abdi, Moise Bombito, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, and midfielder Tanguy Ndombele out. Another midfielder, Pablo Rosario, is in the process of transferring to a new club and will also be absent.
Toulouse
The club had its best season since returning to Ligue 1, finishing 10th in the previous tournament, having previously finished 13th and 11th. The team shows stability in results, being a mid-table team in the French Championship. Last season in Ligue 1, the club went unbeaten in 20 of 34 matches (11 wins, 9 draws) and finished with a positive goal difference of 44:43, achieved for the first time since the 2012/13 season. Moreover, Toulouse performed slightly better away than at home, earning 22 points compared to 20. Like Nice, the team played six friendly matches in the summer but failed to win any (2 draws, 4 losses).
In the offseason, the club lost three forwards, two of whom were the top scorers in the last championship – Zakaria Aboukhlal and Joshua King, as well as Xavi Babica. Notable incoming transfers include Argentine forward Santiago Hidalgo and midfielders Abu Francis and Mario Sauer.
- Both teams scored in 8 of Toulouse's last 10 matches in the championship.
- The club ended last season in Ligue 1 on a 4-match unbeaten streak (2 wins, 2 draws).
- The team scored in 6 of their last 8 away games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Toulouse (5-3-2)
Guillaume Restes – Jaydi Kanwa, Mark McKenzie, Dejan Metal, Warren Kamanzi, Charlie Cresswell – Aron Donnum, Mario Sauer, Yann Gboho – Noah Eijuma, Frank Magri.
Midfielder Cristian Casseres will not play due to suspension, while midfielders Abu Francis, Niklas Schmidt, and Vincent Sierro are unavailable due to injuries.
Referee
Thomas Leonard (France)
Matches – 20 (Ligue 1, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 71;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.5;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 20%.
Match Prediction: Nice vs. Toulouse
The hosts have already opened the new season with official matches, playing against Benfica in the Champions League. Although these matches were unsuccessful for Nice due to the strength of the opponent, the team should be in much better playing form than the upcoming opponent, who did not prepare for European matches. Nice is already a class above their opponent, who lost key attacking players in the summer transfer window, and they also look excellent at home in the championship. Last season in Ligue 1, the club went unbeaten in 15 of 17 home matches with a goal difference of 38:15.
I don't think the weakened Toulouse has a chance to defeat the hosts. Moreover, the statistics are not in favor of the visitors, as they failed to win against Nice away in 8 of the last 9 matches in the French Championship (3 draws, 5 losses). Additionally, the club from the French Riviera won their last 3 home matches in Ligue 1 with a total score of 9:1.
I'm confident the hosts will be closer to victory in the upcoming match, my prediction – Nice with a handicap (0)
* The starting lineup for each team is based on their last match.
