Lille OSC will be at Stade Municipal du Ray this Saturday, to take on OGC Nice in their next game of the 2012/2013 Ligue 1 campaign
LOSC Lille
Les Dogues would have liked another opposition this weekend, following their 1-0 defeat at the hands of FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, a result that has left the French club’s hopes of reaching the group stages of the Champions League resting on the return leg
at Grand Stade Lille Métopole, next Wednesday.
However, in the league, Lille are off to a relatively good start. LOSC managed to nick an important away win against Saint-Etienne in their first game of the season, which was quickly followed by a draw at home to Nancy.
With 4 points out of possible 6, Rudi Garcia’s side are in a good position to face the hosts. And the players feel that the match could work in their favour, as they prepare for their European match against FC Copenhagen next week.
"Even if we're aware of how decisive the two games are with FC Copenhagen, we have to dive back into the league and focus on our away trip to Nice.”
“There's no better way to prepare for a European tie than a successful league match. We have to concentrate on Nice in order to perform well in the next game, at home to the Danes,” Lille full-back, Franck Beria, told reporters about their preparations for
the match.
OGC Nice
Les Aiglons are managed by Claude Puel, who has also managed Lille in past. And his presence at the helm will give an extra advantage to the hosts over their opponents.
However, Nice did not start the season on a good note. After failing to win their first match of the 2012/2013 Ligue 1 season, four-time champions of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/France-c2899 only managed to take a point from their match against Valenciennes in week 2.
The coach has asked his players to be more focused against Lille if they want to achieve something out of that game.
"At Valenciennes we had chances and I thought we were dangerous, we just lacked calmness in front of goal,” Claude Puel told reporters.
History
Nice have hosted Les Dogues 40 times in the top tier of the French football and on 22 occasions, they end up on the winning side. There have been 11 draws and 7 times, the visitors have emerged victorious.
Lille boost a better record against their opponents in recent years. LOSC are unbeaten in their last five visits to Côte d'Azur and have registered wins in past two seasons.
Previous Season
In the first meeting between the two sides last season, both teams played out an entertaining 4-4 draw at Stadium Lille Métropole.
In the reverse fixture, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Du-c11689 Ray, thanks to Tulio De Melo’s 6th minute strike.
Team news
OGC Nice
Les Aiglons would be without Kevin Anin and Xavier Pentecote, who are out injured with a knee injury. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Renato-Civelli-c30832 is available once more
following his suspension.
New striker, Dario Cvitanich, is not eligible to play as still no spot is freed up for a non-EU player.
LOSC Lille
Wantaway right-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mathieu-Debuchy-c24682 injured his heel while with the national side, and Marko Bassa is also out with a groin injury. Both players have already missed the league game with Nancy and the midweek clash against FC Copenhagen.
Predicted final score: OGC Nice 1-3 LOSC Lille
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