Bruno Genesio’s Lyon can cap off a brilliant Ligue 1 season on Friday night as they travel to the Stade des Costieres to play Nimes Olympique.
Nimes head into the game having secured their place in the top flight for another season. Manager Bernard Blanquart has led Nimes to seventh place in their first season back in Ligue 1.
Nîmes cannot finish any higher than seventh place and they cannot drop any lower than ninth place. Blanquart’s team are undefeated in their last three matches with back to back victories being claimed by the side.
The previous meeting this season between Nimes and Lyon ended in a win for the Genesio’s squad. Lyon ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Moussa Dembele and Memphis Depay. The scoreline flattered Lyon slightly as their second goal didn’t go into the back of the net until the 90th minute.
Nimes do boast the seventh best home record in Ligue One and will be hopeful they can finish off the season with three more points. Thirty-two of Nimes’ 53 points have been won at the Stade des Costieres.
Les Crocodiles have won four straight home matches by a combined score of 8-2. Nimes have allowed just 17 goals at home while registering a +11-goal difference.
Lyon won’t be pushovers on Friday night. Genesio has led his team to 29 points on their travels, the third best tally in Ligue 1. Lyon have won back to back road games outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 6-2.
Defence has been a slight worry for Lyon on their travels. The team has allowed 26 scores away from home.
Lyon striker Dembele has scored 15 of Lyon’s 67 league goals. Dembele is fourth in Ligue One scoring this season and has contributed to 22% of the team’s scores.
Denis Bouanga leads Nimes in goals with eight. Teammate Renaud Ripart has added seven goals.
Goals should be scored in Nimes on Friday night. Lyon’s last seven matches have all seen over 2.5 goals scored. Nimes have seen over 2.5 goals tallied in six of their last seven fixtures. Recent history indicates the match could be high scoring.
Genesio could be without the likes of Nabil Fekir, Kenny Tete, and Jason Denayer due to injuries. Nimes are missing three players as Mustapha Diallo, Clement Depres, and Loick Landre are all sidelined with various health concerns.
Although Nimes will put up a diligent fight, Lyon will pick up a final victory to cap off another solid season. Lyon will finish in third place and hope next year they can challenge for the title.