Nice vs Caen Match preview

French Ligue 1: Nice vs Caen

This is the derby of South of France. This is one of the greatest matches of this round although it won’t decide anything. Both sides will try to give a football treat to their fans in the last 90 minutes of the successful season.

First of all, defense

Nice have the best defense in the league after Nancy. They had one excellent spell by the middle of the season that lasted three months and after that they relaxed. Their plan was the midtable and when they secured their place they have slowed down and dropped on the standings. They haven’t got enough players for fighting on more than one battlefield and they didn’t want to fight for the place in Europe.
Nice lost only four games at home this season, but all four happened after February. They have gone since the end of January without a home win and they now wish to say goodbye to the fans with a win. They play defensive always leaving the midfield to their rivals, waiting for a chance in counterattacks. This worked just fine for them but in the second part of the season their visitors have realised that they must be careful and since then Nice have had many problems on home ground. Problems occur when they must attack. They are not too good at that so that is why they marked weaker results at home this year.
Last week they celebrated away. They won Valenciennes and ended the series of three goalless matches. It was the game with many chances where Nice have handled the situation much better and with two goals by the beginning of the second half earned victory.
They have many injured players among which are Echoufani, Lloris and Laslandes.

Offensive play

This season Caen have chosen a different approach than the home side in this match. They played open and aggressive football and such play won over many neutral fans. The viewers could see more goals only in Lyon and Bordeaux matches.
Since October till the end of January, Caen have lost only once thus compensating for all they missed on the start of the season. Although after February followed another negative series, they had already picked up enough points and had no worries. Their aim was the midtable and they accomplished that successfully. No side had easy time on the hot South of France in front of stands full of loud and hostile fans. Now they are hosting neighbours.
They were more than convincing last week against Strasbourg. Although they didn’t play great it was enough for four goals and another spectacle by Caen.
They will play without Compan, Seube and Deroin.

Betting Verdict

Lately duels between these rivals don't hold many goals. But this is the last round and Caen are a pretty offensive squad. We believe that Nice will change a bit their closed play and try to give a quality offensive football to their fans. We think that over 2.5 goals is worth a shot. Odds are pretty good and it would be a waste not to use it.

Our tip: Bet 5 on Over 2.5 goals
Odds 2 at
Bookmaker: Gamebookers