Preview: Nice vs. Lyon - prediction, team news, lineups

Fifth place takes on sixth place in Ligue 1 action on Sunday afternoon when Nice welcome Lyon to the Allianz Riviera, with the two sides separated only by goal difference.

The hosts suffered a disappointing loss in the last game, whilst their visitors come into the match on the back of two wins in the space of a week.

Match preview

© Reuters

Nice's strong start to the season took a hit last weekend as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against a Troyes side who had been on the cusp of the relegation zone when the match kicked off.

Mama Balde's fourth-minute goal proved to be enough to secure the three points, as Nice manager Christophe Galtier was bested by his former player and assistant coach at Saint-Etienne, Laurent Batlles, and Troyes earned their first home win over Les Aiglons in over 15 years.

Nice remain in a strong position, however, fifth in the table with a game in hand on most of the sides above them, and Galtier can still be proud of the work he has done since joining in the summer.

Before the international break, his side had responded to a slight blip by putting together back-to-back wins - 3-0 at Saint-Etienne and 2-1 at home to Brest. He will hope they can repeat that response this weekend.

© Reuters

Lyon started the campaign far slower than their upcoming hosts, taking just two points from the first three games, but they have lost only once - away to Paris Saint-Germain - since and have had an excellent week.

First, they beat a strong Monaco side 2-0, Karl Toko Ekambi's penalty eventually opening the scoring in the 75th minute and Jason Denayer cementing the result just as the match was heading into stoppage time.

Then, in midweek, Peter Bosz watched his men edge a seven-goal thriller in the Europa League against Sparta Prague.

The Czech team opened out a two-goal lead inside 20 minutes, but an Ekambi brace along with goals from Houssem Aouar and Lucas Paqueta turned the match on its head, with Sparta grabbing a consolation late on.

That will give Les Gones plenty of confidence heading into Sunday's match and Bosz will be sure to remind his side that this is an encounter they have won in four of the last six meetings.

Team News

© Reuters

Nice left-back Melvin Bard remains a doubt, the 20-year-old having picked up an injury on international duty, with Hassane Kamara the likely replacement should the doubt prove to be an absence.

Gouiri was suitably recovered from a knock to feature from the bench in the last game and should now be ready for a full 90 minutes.

Alexis Claude Maurice made his long-awaited return off the bench against Troyes, but is still regaining fitness and will be eased back into the team gradually.

Lyon's first-choice goalkeeper Anthony Lopes is back from suspension and will reclaim his spot between the sticks.

Paqueta and Emerson look set to start, having both featured for just 45 minutes in the midweek game as Bosz rotates his side to contend with their heavy workload.

Nice possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Atal, Todibo, Dante, Kamara; Boudaoui, Lemina, Rosario, Gouiri; Dolberg, Delort

Lyon possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Dubois, Boateng, Denayer, Emerson; Caqueret, Guimaraes; Cherki, Paqueta, Aouar; Ekambi

We say: Nice 2-1 Lyon

This should be a tight game and the result could come down to how Nice respond to their recent defeat. Both sides have goals in them but we are backing a more-rested home side to edge the game and secure a narrow victory.