Saturday also brings us further action from the French top flight in Ligue 1 and this upcoming clash between last season’s title-winners, Lille, and Nice, as the two teams meet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Lille claimed the Ligue 1 title last season and the hosts were worthy winners as they produced an excellent campaign which was under-pinned by greater consistency than their title rivals, PSG, and indeed, Lille came out on top against the Parisiennes winning 1-0 at the Parc des Princes on their way to the title.
#LOSCOGCN on our minds 💪@Ligue1_ENG MD 2 approaching 👀#LOSC pic.twitter.com/zLj9qOPBIp— LOSC Lille EN (@LOSC_EN) August 11, 2021
#LOSCOGCN on our minds 💪@Ligue1_ENG MD 2 approaching 👀#LOSC pic.twitter.com/zLj9qOPBIp
Lille also got the upper hand over PSG in the French Super Cup at the start of this new season, winning 1-0, and the hosts again look the side to beat in this French top flight season.
A 3-3 draw on the opening day away at Metz was perhaps a little disappointing but Lille now return to home soil for this Saturday’s clash against Nice against whom they’ve won the last two meetings at home on the trot, 2-0 and 4-0 respectively.
Nice looked to be heading for a possible top six finish in Ligue 1 last season when the visitors strung together a solid looking six-match sequence without defeat which also included wins against Rennes, Nimes, Marseille and Nantes.
Nice’s challenge subsequently folded though as the visitors recorded three wins from their final six matches and their inconsistent streak undid their previous good work and they eventually finished in a disappointing 9th place.
In addition, Nice managed just three wins from their last nine away games towards the end of last season and having previously struggled away from home at Lille in previous exchanges, the visitors look to have their work cut out here if they’re to get a result of any sort.
The bigger picture shows that Nice have won just four of their last 12 matches on their travels in Ligue 1 while also managing to keep just one clean sheet on the road during this period as well.
Тheir back line could again come under serious pressure at Lille on Saturday with the likes of forwards Yilmaz and David in tow, who scored a total of 29 goals between them last term.
Lille will be keen to get off the mark with a win here and Nice may well be powerless to stop them.