The final match of the first round of the Ligue 1 will be between Olympique Nice and RC Lens on Sunday. Does the PhD candidate know how to surprise or will the points remain on the Côte d’Azur?
Nice:
A few years ago, Olympique Nice seemed to have lost its connection with the sub-top in the Ligue 1, but by finishing fifth last season, Patrick Vieira’s team will play in the Europa League again this year. Before that happens, there are first a number of matches in the national league. In preparation for this season, les Aiglons still made a mixed impression. Two weeks ago, for example, they lost 4-1 to Red Bull Salzburg, but last week the Vieira team straightened its back by winning 3-2 against Stade Rennais, the number three of the previous season.
In view of the busy schedule this year, Olympique Nice has already made a significant impact on the transfer market. Especially from an offensive point of view, the team of Vieira seems to have strengthened itself well: the Portuguese Rony Lopes, who already shone in the Ligue 1 in the 2017/2018 season as a player of AS Monaco, is rented from Seville and the French youth international Amine Gouiri became acquired from Olympique Lyonnais for EUR 7 million. The most notable transfer, however, is the arrival of Morgan Schneiderlin. The thirty-year-old French midfielder has played most of his games in the Premier League in the last decade, but has decided to return to Ligue 1 after twelve years.
Lens:
After having played in Ligue 2 for five seasons, RC Lens is finally back in Ligue 1 with some luck. level. In preparation for the new season, Franck Haise’s team has not yet left an indelible impression due to defeats against second division Paris FC and Le Havre, but last weekend was won 1-0 against competitor Dijon in a friendly game.
Just like Sunday’s opponent, RC Lens has certainly not held back on the transfer market. For example, ten million euros has already been paid for midfielder Seko fofana from Udinese and striker Ignatius Ganago was also taken over from Olympique Nice for six million euros. Haise seems to have been able to strengthen his selection nicely and also saw no supporting players leave after midfielder Guillaume Gillet.
PREDICTION: Nice to win @ 2,05
