Nice vs Lens Prediction: Nice host high flying Lens

Following a six-week hiatus, Nice will restart their Ligue 1 season on Thursday by hosting second-place Lens at the Allianz Riviera.

Prior to Qatar 2022's break, Lucien Favre's team had gone through their last seven competitive games unbeaten to surge into the top half of the standings. Les Aiglons, who have a Ligue 1 record of five wins, five draws, and five losses thus far, also advanced directly to the round of 16 of the Europa Conference League by winning their group ahead of FK Partizan, reducing some of the pressure on Favre. Nice finished their winter warm-up campaign with a 3-0 loss to Atalanta before drawing 1-1 with Tottenham thanks to Antoine Mendy's second-half equaliser.

Lens has enjoyed a great season thus far, being in second place in the standings only behind PSG. Franck Haise's team had recorded four straight home cleansheets prior to Salis Abdul Samed's own goal in a 2-1 victory over Clermont in their final game of November. Only Paris Saint-Germain have allowed less goals than Lens this season. Lens, who completed their preparations for the season's second phase with a 2-1 win over Reims last week, will now try to keep PSG within five points by winning at Allianz Riviera.

Schmeichel; Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Boudaoui, Rosario, Thuram; Pepe, Laborde, Brahimi.

Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski, Fofana, Abdul Samed, Machado; Sotoca, Said, Costa.

In two of their previous four Ligue 1 away games, Lens have failed to score, and this pattern might continue. They have nevertheless won their last five games. The two sides are expected to be a little rusty considering this is their first competitive match since November. Given their recent unbeaten runs, a draw might occur.