Lille vs Nice Prediction and Betting Tips for the Ligue 1 clash on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The game starts at 20:05 GMT at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Watch it on Amazon Prime. It is a big night. Discover Get Free Ligue 1 Predictions from us.
He had a brief but decent three game spell back in 2021 where he went unbeaten. Can he really turn things around so quickly? It is hard to say how this will end, but the atmosphere will be electric. In this article, you’ll discover the best footballing insights.
Lille vs Nice Key Facts and Stats
Lille enters this home fixture boasting a impressive nine match unbeaten streak in all recent competitions.
The home side has managed to score at least once in their last eight Ligue 1 games.
Nice has struggled significantly lately, picking up only four points from their previous five league matches.
Both teams have scored in forty one percent of Lille's total matches during this current season.
Nice failed to find the back of the net in two of their last five fixtures.
Momentum favors the hosts as they have won four of their last five matches in Ligue 1.
Lille is 3rd in the standings with an average of 1.83 points per match so far this season.
Strong attacking output at home with an average of 14.86 shots taken every single home game.
The defense remains solid, conceding only 1.00 goals per game in front of their home supporters.
High volume of corners won at home, averaging 6.07 per match, placing them 4th in Ligue 1.
- Lille's Weaknesses
Both teams to score has landed in 50 percent of their home matches indicating defensive lapses.
Moderate card count with an average of 1.93 cards received during their home fixtures.
An average of 10.79 fouls committed shows they sometimes struggle to win the ball back cleanly.
League Position
15
+ Nice's Strengths
Great corner winning ability on the road, sitting 3rd in the league with 5.29 corners per match.
Aggressive team style shown by their high average of 13.29 fouls committed per game.
Decent corner defending away with an average of 5.29 corners conceded per away match.
They are often fouled, winning 11.71 fouls per away match which can lead to set piece chances.
- Nice's Weaknesses
Defensive struggles are evident with an average of 2.14 goals conceded during their away matches.
Very poor performance on the road, earning only 0.71 points per game and ranking 15th.
Match Preview
Lille comes into this weekend in fantastic spirits after a massive unbeaten run of nine matches. Bruno Genesio has found a perfect balance in his 4-2-3-1 system. Olivier Giroud remains a key figure up front, having scored 7 goals this season with a solid average of 0.42 goals.
The hosts are particularly strong at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy where they haven't lost in four games. Defensively, they are quite compact, allowing just 1.00 goal per match. Unfortunately, they must cope without Nathan Ngoy today. The young defender is missing because he is serving a suspension for yellow cards.
We should also watch out for Hákon Arnar Haraldsson in the middle. He has been a consistent threat, contributing 7 goals so far. Lille averages 14.86 shots per home game, showing their offensive intent. Even so, they will need to be sharp to break down a desperate Nice defense.
It has been a rough period for Claude Puel and his Nice squad lately. They have managed to collect just four points from their last five league outings. The team is missing several vital players including Dante and Moise Bombito, which leaves their defensive line very vulnerable today.
Offensively, the burden falls on Sofiane Diop who has 7 goals this season. He averages 0.36 goals per 90 minutes and will be crucial for any counter attacking chances. Nice has struggled for goals on the road, averaging only 1.14 per match, while often conceding over two goals.
The injury list is quite a headache for the visitors right now. With Hicham Boudaoui and Morgan Sanson out, the midfield looks thin. Even so, players like Elye Wahi must step up. They need to improve on their low average of 3.64 shots on target. Get Free Ligue 1 Predictions.
Lille manager Bruno Genesio is focused on a thrilling season finale as his side prepares to face Nice. Despite missing Nabil Bentaleb and Nathan Ngoy, the coach remains optimistic about extending their impressive nine-match unbeaten streak. Genesio credited internal stability and a collective work ethic for Lille's recent resurgence in Ligue 1, emphasizing that the team’s resilience has been crucial during challenging periods both on and off the pitch.
E. Mbappé, B. André N. Mukau, H. A. Haraldsson, F. Correia
FW
M. Fernandez
OUT
N. Ngoy(OUT),
N. Bentaleb(OUT),
O. Sahraoui(OUT)
Nice (3-5-2)
Claude Puel
GK
Y. Diouf
DF
A. Mendy, K. P. Oppong, M. Bard
MF
J. Clauss, S. A. Samed, S. Diop, T. Louchet, A. Abdi
FW
E. Wahi, M. Cho
OUT
H. Boudaoui(OUT),
M. Sanson(OUT),
Dante(OUT),
M. Bombito(OUT),
T. Ndombélé(OUT),
Y. Ndayishimiye(OUT),
C. Vanhoutte(QUES)
Referee
Bastien DECHEPY
Prediction
Under 3.5 Goals @1.45
Statistical data suggests a low scoring affair when these two sides meet this Saturday. Lille has been defensively disciplined at home, conceding only 1.00 goal per match. Meanwhile, Nice struggles to create significant offensive threat on their travels, averaging just 1.14 goals scored per game. Both managers are likely to prioritize defensive stability to avoid a costly defeat in this high stakes match.
Looking closer at the current numbers, Nice has an average of only 10.07 shots per match when playing away from home. Their offensive production has dropped recently, failing to score in two of their last five fixtures. Since Lille also focuses on maintaining a solid structure, we do not expect a goal fest. Staying under the 3.5 goal threshold seems like a very safe play.
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FAQ – Lille vs Nice Prediction
Who will win between Lille and Nice?
Lille are heavy favorites at home due to their 9 match unbeaten streak and Nice's recent struggle for form away from home.
Where can I watch Lille vs Nice live?
The Lille vs Nice Ligue 1 match will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime and Ligue 1+.
What time does Lille vs Nice start?
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:05 (GMT) on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Which key players are missing for Nice?
Nice is missing several starters including Dante, Moise Bombito, Hicham Boudaoui, and Morgan Sanson due to injury or suspension.
Who is the referee for Lille vs Nice?
The match official for this Ligue 1 encounter at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy is Bastien Dechepy.
Alexandru Florin is a football betting expert, providing tips and accumulator predictions for xpertstats.com since 2022. With a strong focus on data-driven analysis, he delivers well-researched insights and reliable advice for bettors aiming for long-term profit.
