Nice will entertain Lorient in the French top flight in Sunday lunchtime’s Ligue 1 clash with both teams needing all three points to boost their respective European and survival ambitions at the Allianz Riviera.
An impressive five-match winning streak earlier in the season which consisted of victories over Rennes, Lens, Brest, Nantes and Metz respectively had seemingly set Nice on track for a definite top five finish in Ligue 1.
Le coach Galtier et ses joueurs étaient sur les terrains, ce mercredi, et préparaient #OGCNFCL (dimanche, 13h) 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/laULBpDxco— OGC Nice (@ogcnice) April 13, 2022
Le coach Galtier et ses joueurs étaient sur les terrains, ce mercredi, et préparaient #OGCNFCL (dimanche, 13h) 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/laULBpDxco
And therefore guaranteed involvement in one of the European competitions for next season.
However, just a further two wins in their subsequent nine games in Ligue 1 has thrown almost certain European qualification into disarray as Nice find themselves clinging onto the last remaining spot in 5th place.
Four defeats against Clermont, Lyon, Marseille and Lens have dented their hopes of a top five finish although it’s not all doom and gloom as Nice have lost just once in their last six home games at the Allianz Riviera.
Despite defeat to Clermont, Nice have picked up four wins during this period including an impressive 1-0 home win over the Ligue 1 leaders, PSG.
By contrast, Lorient find themselves in the lower reaches of Ligue 1, sitting in a lowly 16th place and just four points above St Etienne and the relegation play-off spot prior to this tricky looking outing to Nice on Sunday.
In between the inconsistent results, Lorient have picked up wins against Lens, Brest, Clermont and St Etienne and these have helped keep the visitors’ heads above water so far this term.
But the bigger picture shows that Lorient have only won these four games out of their last 24 matches overall in the domestic top flight.
Switch to results away from home in Ligue 1 and the picture takes on a much gloomier outlook for Lorient as the visitors have managed to register just two wins from their previous 31 games which is a woeful record on the road.
In addition, Lorient have managed to keep only five clean sheets on their travels during this dismal period of results and this could once again hold them back in Sunday lunchtime’s clash with Nice, especially as the hosts will be desperate to maintain their top five status here.
Nice have won three of the last four home meetings against Lorient and the hosts should run out winners again here.