OGC Nice vs LOSC Lille Prediction: OGC Nice and LOSC Lille vie to consolidate their positions in the upper echelons of the league standings.

Coming into Game Week 11 of Ligue 1, OGC Nice hosts LOSC Lille in one of the important fixtures at the Allianz Riviera. Separated by only a point, Lille occupies fourth place with 18 points as Nice is right behind with 16. During the course of this term so far, both sides have had their share of mixed fortunes; recent defensive vulnerabilities for Lille have contrasted with Nice's disciplined, possession-oriented style of play, setting up an intriguing tactical contest between them. This game promises to be a test of adaptability for the teams and also a test of their resolve, since both teams are trying to get into that coveted top three.

Nice currently sit fifth and have been an obstinate team to break down. They have a resolute defence, anchored on a 3-4-2-1 formation under Franck Haise that is set up to be compact. Against Brest in their last outing, they had only 36% possession but created five big chances, scoring from one of those for a skinny 1-0 victory. Haise's team underlines effectiveness in front of goal, something at which they have become increasingly adept. Nice has two wins and three draws in their last five matches in Ligue 1, form that has shown they can often grind out results under pressure.

Franck Haise's Nice is well-drilled defensively, preferring a methodical build-up and a compact formation. Their 3-4-2-1 allows flexibility: packing the midfield for comfort when the pressure is on and quickly calculative transitions if an opportunity presents itself. Often, the width stretches opponents with a back three that moves efficiently across the pitch to pick up attacks. Nice's low-possession game isn't a weakness; it's a choice, with the focus on quick, high-impact attacks. Lille's recent slipups at the back could give way for Nice's attacking trio to find spaces wherein to operate.

Lille enters the match with a slightly more attacking approach in the 4-2-3-1 formation led by Bruno Genesio. For all their average of 58% possession this season, they often do not capitalize on that possession into decisive action in the final third, with the recent 1-1 draw against Lyon a testament to this as they had only two shots on target. Where Lille have been inconsistent, though, is in defense, and it is a worry that they have conceded six goals in these last five games in which their record was 3-2. How they will look to rectify these gaps is anyone's guess as Lille seeks to get back to winning form.

Lille under Genesio feature a more dynamic, attacking setup-one that banks on a 4-2-3-1 framework that encourages inventiveness with movement in the final third. Lille's style is built on possession and dictating the tempo with the presence of two holding midfielders, giving them a stable base upwards for the attacking trio. But this attacking philosophy can sometimes expose them in defense, and that is something Nice's pacy transitions can capitalize on. Perhaps Genesio will have to find his way around Nice's disciplined defensive shape, possibly relying on wide players to carve out openings against the compact Nice backline.

Head-to-head history of these teams reflects a very balanced competition, with a slight advantage for Nice. In the last 20 games between these teams, Nice won eight times, Lille managed to get three wins, and nine times, there was no winner or loser since these games ended in draws. The most recent game in May ended 2-2, a truly open game from both teams. Significantly, within the last three matches against Lille, Nice had never lost a match, always scoring first in most cases and winning the first half of such a match. Added to that, their defense has come under light pressure lately, leaking six goals within the last five matches, which Nice will no doubt seek to capitalize on.

Going into this match, both teams have their different strong and weak points. The strategy that Nice has adopted of a tight defense and speedy transition has definitely paid off, especially at home, where they are still formidable. This will be Lille's challenge: keeping the rhythm and not allowing any turnovers that could give Nice some great counterattacks. Recent form from Lille uncovers a team with defensive vulnerabilities, and an efficient counter-attacking strategy by Nice, especially with high pressing to force errors in the Lille backline, could take advantage of that.

It is going to be a very important battle in midfield, with Lille's possession-based style coming up against Nice's direct, incisive transitions. The two holding midfielders will be very important for Lille in managing Nice's forward bursts; on the other hand, Nice's compact shape will be looking to minimize the spaces that Lille's attacking midfield can exploit. Both teams have scored in four of the last five head-to-head games in which both teams are known for scoring.

• GG (yes) @ 1.83 Odds
• Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.08 Odds
• GG (yes) @ 1.80 Odds