Lens vs Nice Prediction and Betting Tips

It's almost time for the Coupe de France final, featuring the season’s biggest dark horse, Lens, and Nice, who could join an intriguing group of teams that have won a trophy and been relegated in the same year.

That’s a real possibility if Nice win on Friday and lose their relegation playoffs next week, and get relegated to Ligue 2. The situation with the team is dire, and it's a miracle they even made it to this final.

In the last Ligue 1 round, they played at home against the already-relegated Metz and failed to beat even them. Nice’s only win in the last two months came in the Coupe de France semifinals.

Interestingly, the team’s vice president said that winning the Cup is not a top priority and that it is more important to remain in the top flight. 

Nice last played in the final in 2022, when they lost to Nantes 1-0. Their last triumph in the tournament was during the 96/97 season, and they have won it a total of three times.

For Lens, this will be their fourth attempt to win the Coupe de France, having had three unsuccessful attempts in their history. Their last appearance in a final was during their championship-winning 97/98 season, though they lost that final to PSG 2-1. 

Right now, however, the Blood and Gold look like clear favourites, especially after crushing Lyon 4-0 on the road in the last round of Ligue 1.

Their run in the title race this season has been remarkable, and they fully deserve to be in this final and, overall, to end the season with a trophy.

How the bookies view it: The Blood and Gold to become even more golden

The bookmakers agree and see Lens as the clear favourite. The odds are heavily in their favor, and you can currently back them at 1/2.

If you still think Nice have a chance to win, you can back them at 17/4. A draw is also an option at 15/4. 

Recent head-to-head: Nice stole a point earlier this month

To be fair, Nice gave Lens a hard time in their last H2H of the season, taking a point at home. But in the reverse fixture, Lens dominated them and didn’t concede. 

And overall, the Eagles have a positive record against Lens in recent years, winning five of the last 10 matches between them. But most of those wins were years ago, when the two teams’ roles in the top flight were reversed.

Players to watch: Thauvin can rise to the occasion 

Several players have stepped up this season to help Lens reach these heights, but not all have maintained their form until the very end. Of all the team’s current goal scorers, Florian Thauvin appears to be in the most consistent form. 

We can’t expect him to score every game, but when he plays well, Lens usually win. Over the weekend, he punished Lyon with a goal and an assist, and he has a total of 22 goal contributions in 36 matches this season. 

Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.

Probable line-ups 

Lens: Risser, Sarr, Celik, Ganiou, Udol, Bulatovic, Thomasson, Aguilar, Saint-Maximin, Thauvin, Edouard

Nice: Diouf, Oppong, Bah, Mendy, Sanson, Boudaoui, Vanhoutte, Clauss, Cho, Diop, Wahi

Anything else catch the eye?

Nice certainly delivered a few surprises on their way to the final, given the team’s poor overall condition. But in our view, the surprises are over, and Lens won’t allow themselves any more slip-ups. 

Their dominant performance against Lyon a few days ago proved once again the quality of this team, and we believe the bookmakers are quite reasonably expecting a dominant victory.

Upsets and underdog triumphs are always possible in football, no matter which two teams are facing off, but we think Lens will win by at least a two-goal margin.

Lens vs Nice Betting Tips & Predictions