Preview: Strasbourg vs. Nice - prediction, team news, lineups

Nice will be aiming to make it two wins from two to begin the new Ligue 1 campaign when they take on Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau on Saturday evening.

The Eagles beat Lens 2-1 in their opening fixture and are positioned third in the early standings, while Strasbourg went down 3-1 to Lorient in their first game back.

Match preview

After finishing fifth in last season's revised Ligue 1 table, Nice have plenty to look forward to in 2020-21 as they are assured of a place in the Europa League group stage.

That European campaign is a long way off starting yet, though, so all focus will be on maintaining their early league momentum in order to improve on last term's finish.

Nice were given a scare by Lens on the opening weekend, but Amine Gouiri struck twice either side of half time to cancel out Gael Kakuta 's penalty and earn his side the win.

Patrick Vieira 's men were one of just four teams to collect maximum points on matchday one, along with Nimes, Lorient and Angers.

That victory only maintained the feel-good vibe at the club, having now lost just one of their last 13 Ligue 1 matches, with that loss coming against Nimes in January.

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That includes a run of five away games without defeat, although that record could come under threat on Saturday as Strasbourg have won seven of their last 10 home Ligue 1 games.

Les Coureurs fell to defeat in their opening game of 2020-21, though, despite Mehdi Chahiri giving his side an early lead away at Lorient.

Going back into last season, Strasbourg have now conceded three goals or more in their last two Ligue 1 games - not since August 2017 have they registered a longer-such run.

The good news for Thierry Laurey 's side ahead of this weekend is that they have lost just one of their last 15 home league meetings with Nice, winning eight of those.

Nice were unable to beat Strasbourg home and away last season, meanwhile, so this could prove to be a tricky assignment for Vieira's charges.

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form: L

Nice Ligue 1 form: W

Team News

Dimitri Lienard missed the Lorient defeat and remains doubtful for this match, meaning that Chahiri should retain his place in central midfield for Strasbourg.

After making an impression from the bench last time out, Majeed Waris is expected to start in attack, possibly in place of Kenny Lala.

Ludovic Ajorque 's place in the side may also be in doubt, however, having failed to score in his last seven Ligue 1 games - his worst drought in the top flight.

As for Nice, they have a number of injury absentees, with Robson Bambu the latest to join the list of crocked players after limping off against Lens.

Stanley N'Soki, Danilo and Myziane Maolida recently tested positive for coronavirus, meanwhile, and are therefore unlikely to play any part.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:

Kawashima; Lala, Simakan, Dijku, Caci; Bellegarde, Sissoko, Chahiri; Thomasson; Waris, Ajorque

Nice possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Burner, Pelmard, Dante, Kamara; Lees-Melou, Schneiderlin, Thuram; Maurice, Dolberg, Gouiri

We say: Strasbourg 0-2 Nice

Nice kicked off their Ligue 1 campaign in a winning way and will be out to make it six points from six on Saturday. The visitors have scored in each of their last 11 league outings, and we expect that run to continue here in a fairly routine win.

Top betting tip

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