Strasbourg vs Nice Prediction: Expect both teams to score in this football match

At the Stade de la Meinau on Saturday 13th May 2023, Strasbourg will host Nice in a Ligue 1 week 35. 

Last week, the hosts got their winning streak back on track with a victory against Nantes thanks to goals from striker Habib Diallo and midfielder Habib Diarra. In their last four league contests, they had three victories. With 35 points, they are in 14th position overall in the standings. Strasbourg's win over Nantes kept the home team further away from the relegation zone.

Last week, the visitors also defeated Rennes 2-1 at home with goals from strikers Gatan Laborde and Terem Moffi in the second half to enable the away side to record their second consecutive victory. Nice's win over Rennes last week also enabled the away team to continue to play for a spot in European football next season. The back-to-back win has encouraged the away team as the team did not record any victory in the last seven games played in all competitions.  

Nice seems to be the favorite but with no win against Strasbourg in the last four games played, a safe bet will be to expect goals from both sides. Also, expect fewer goals (under 2.5 goals) as the last seven games between these two side produced under 2.5 goals. 

In the last stages of the season, Strasbourg has gained momentum at the perfect time, allowing them to gradually pull themselves out of danger. When Antonetti took over as manager in mid-February, Strasbourg was in 17th place. However, five victories in their last eleven games have propelled them to 14th place in Ligue 1.

The most recent triumph was a win against Nantes. The home team was 10 points below Nantes but the appointment in February has enabled Strasbourg to leapfrog Nantes. 

In the last four games, Strasbourg has won three of those games, with  Diall being an inspirational player in the relegation fight. On Saturday when Strasbourg takes on Nice, the inspirational striker from Senegal will be a player to look out for as evidenced in the two assists at Nantes.

Although Strasbourg has some injury concerns, the coach is not may not change the formation as that formation has helped the team recently. Eduard Sobol, Ismael Doukoure, Gerzino Nyamsi, Thomas Delaine, Ibrahima Sissoko, and Morgan Sanson are still not available this week.

Strasbourg's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Sels

Defenders: Perrin, Djiku, Le Marchand

Midfielders: Dagba, Aholou, Prcic, Guilbert, Diarra, Bellegarde

Striker: Diallo

Even if there is still a remote potential that Nice might finish fifth if Lille falters in the last weeks of the season, Nice has little to play for this year. For the first time since February, the Eaglets ended a seven-match losing streak by winning back-to-back games in the league.

Terem's return to scoring against Rennes last week must have thrilled and benefitted the team, as the forward scored the game-winning goal after capitalizing on an error by Arthur to score for the 17th time in the league. Only six players have scored more goals, including Nigerian Diallo of Strasbourg (18 goals), and Digard's team will be counting on him to deliver against Strasbourg.

Nice must avoid making any more mistakes if they want to have a chance to finish in the last continental spot since they are currently eight points behind Lille in fifth place.

Nice does not have many players on the injury list but is expecting Jean-Clair Todibo to return to center back. The 23-year-old is expected to join Dante at the defense's core.

Nice's possible starting lineup:

Goalkeeper: Schmeichel

Defensers: Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard

Midfielders: Ramsey, Boudaoui, Thuram

Strikers: Bouanani, Moffi, Laborde

Strasbourg now appears to be in good shape after winning three of their past four league contests. In three of their past four games against the visitors, they have preserved clean sheets. Nice has also failed to score against the hosts in three of their past four road games.

Nice will attempt to extend their winning streak to three games after being winless between March and April. However, they had only faced the hosts once in their previous five encounters, which is reason for concern.

A low-scoring tie may be the result given the recent history between the two clubs and their present status. The past seven games between Strasbourg and Nice produced under 2.5 goals. In eight of their previous nine league encounters, there were fewer than 2.5 goals scored.

Safe bets to consider are under 2.5 goals or goals from oth teams. This may indicate a potential scoreline of 1-1 although Nice seems to be better considering their defensive record.