Nice vs. Brest Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 17 May 2025 - bettingexpert
This upcoming clash at Allianz Riviera promises excitement as Nice host Brest in the final round of Ligue 1. Both teams have contrasting objectives for this matchday. Nice, sitting 4th with 57 points, are vying for a coveted spot in European competitions. A win here would solidify their position and possibly catapult them into the Champions League qualifiers.
Brest, on the other hand, are comfortably placed 8th with 50 points and have less at stake. Despite their strong form, with two wins in their last outings, their away struggles might hinder them.
Expect a tight contest, but Nice’s stronger motivation and home advantage suggest a victory. Our recommended bet: Nice -1.5 Asian Handicap. Referee Hakim Ben El Hadj will oversee proceedings.
Nice vs Brest Prediction & Betting Tip
For this fixture, our recommended betting tip is Nice -1.5 Asian Handicap. Given Nice’s push for a top 4 finish and Brest’s weaker away form, this seems like the safest bet based on current form and stats.
| Nice vs Brest Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting Tip | Odds |
| Nice -1.5 Asian Handicap | 1.45 |
- Nice are motivated as they compete for a spot in European competitions.
- Brest struggle in away matches and have less at stake.
- Nice’s home win against Reims boosts their confidence for this game.
These factors indicate a likely strong performance from Nice, making the -1.5 Asian Handicap bet a solid choice.
Nice vs Brest Odds
The bookmakers have placed Nice as the clear favourites for this match, and the odds reflect their confidence in a home victory.
| Nice vs Brest Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Nice | 1.45 |
| Draw | 4.76 |
| Brest | 6.21 |
These odds suggest that Nice’s push for a top-four finish in Ligue 1 and their impressive home form give them a significant advantage.
Meanwhile, Brest’s struggles in away matches and lack of stakes in the competition make an upset less likely, but you can never rule out surprises in football.
Nice Team Analysis
Nice Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rennes | Nice | 2025-05-10 | Ligue 1 | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Nice | Reims | 2025-05-02 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
| PSG | Nice | 2025-04-25 | Ligue 1 | 1-3 (Win) |
| Nice | Angers | 2025-04-20 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Win) |
| Strasbourg | Nice | 2025-04-12 | Ligue 1 | 2-2 (Draw) |
Recent Form: LWWWD
Nice are coming into this ultimate Ligue 1 clash with a mixed bag of recent performances. They have shown their attacking prowess, averaging 1.60 goals scored in their last five matches, and their defense has held firm enough to claim a clean sheet in one of those fixtures. With a significant push for a top-four finish and a spot in European competitions, Nice’s motivation is at its peak.
The 3-1 triumph over PSG in late April stands out as a statement win for the team, while their recent 2-0 loss to Rennes signals that there’s still work to be done. They have struggled to maintain consistency but look formidable at the Allianz Riviera.
Nice Key Players
Evann Guessand, who leads Nice with 11 goals this season, will be pivotal in their offensive thrust. His ability to find the back of the net will be crucial as Nice aims to secure a top-four spot.
Alongside Guessand, Jonathan Clauss is expected to be another instrumental figure, providing creativity and drive from the midfield. His link-up play will be vital in breaking down Brest’s defence.
Key individual battles to watch:
- Evann Guessand vs Abdoulaye N’Diaye: Guessand’s sharp attacking prowess against N’Diaye’s defensive capabilities.
- Jonathan Clauss vs Hugo Magnetti: Clauss’ creativity up against Magnetti’s midfield control.
Expected lineup for Nice:
- Goalkeeper: Marcin Bulka
- Defenders: Antoine Mendy, Moise Bombito, Melvin Bard
- Midfielders: Jonathan Clauss, Sofiane Diop, Hichem Boudaoui, Morgan Sanson, Ali Abdi
- Forwards: Badredine Bouanani, Evann Guessand
Nice Suspensions & Injuries
Nice head into their crucial Ligue 1 match against Brest with some notable absences due to injuries and suspensions. Here’s the current situation:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Tanguy Ndombele | Groin injury | About 1-2 weeks |
| Mohamed Abdelmonem | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Youssouf Ndayishimiye | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
| Pablo Rosario | Yellow cards | 1 match |
These absences could impact Nice’s midfield depth and defensive stability. Abdelmonem and Ndayishimiye’s long-term injuries are significant losses in defence, while Ndombele’s injury continues to disrupt the midfield.
The suspension of key midfielder Pablo Rosario due to yellow card accumulation is another setback, limiting their options in the centre of the park.
These absences will require coach Franck Haise to make strategic adjustments to maintain their strong push for a top-four finish.
Nice Tactics and Formation
Nice Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-5-2
- Key Forward: Evann Guessand
- Wing Depth: Jonathan Clauss and Ali Abdi provide width.
- Defensive Setup: Three central defenders—Antoine Mendy, Moise Bombito, and Melvin Bard.
- Midfield Engine: Hicham Boudaoui, Morgan Sanson, and Sofiane Diop.
Franck Haise typically sets his team up in a 3-5-2 formation, favoring a compact but flexible setup that can switch to a 3-4-3 if needed. The wing-backs, especially Clauss, are crucial for both defensive stability and offensive width. The midfield trio are responsible for ball retention and transitioning play, while Guessand leads the attack, leveraging his scoring prowess. This tactical approach has contributed to the team’s competitive edge in the league.
Brest Team Analysis
Brest Recent Performance
Brest’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with 2 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw in their last five matches. Despite the ups and downs, they have shown a knack for finding the net, averaging 1.60 goals per game and keeping 2 clean sheets in their last 5 outings. This solid attacking performance places them 8th in the table.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brest | Lille | 2025-05-10 | Ligue 1 | 2-0 (Win) |
| Brest | Montpellier | 2025-05-04 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
| Marseille | Brest | 2025-04-27 | Ligue 1 | 4-1 (Loss) |
| Brest | Lens | 2025-04-20 | Ligue 1 | 1-3 (Loss) |
| Saint-Etienne | Brest | 2025-04-13 | Ligue 1 | 3-3 (Draw) |
Brest’s resilience is notable, but their defensive vulnerabilities, especially conceding most goals in the final quarter, remain a concern as they head into this clash at Allianz Riviera.
Brest Key Players
Brest will heavily rely on their top scorer, Ludovic Ajorque, who has netted 13 goals this season. His partnership with Romain Del Castillo on the right wing could prove to be a crucial dynamic in this matchup, as Del Castillo’s creative play has been essential for Brest’s offensive strategies.
Kamory Doumbia, positioned as the attacking midfielder, is another player to watch, providing both goal-scoring opportunities and assists.
Expected lineup for Brest:
- Goalkeeper: Marco Bizot
- Defenders: Kenny Lala, Brendan Chardonnet, Abdoulaye N’Diaye, Massadio Haidara
- Midfielders: Pierre Lees-Melou, Mahdi Camara, Kamory Doumbia
- Forwards: Romain Del Castillo, Mathias Pereira Lage, Ludovic Ajorque
Their ability to navigate Nice’s defense will be a defining factor. Key individual battles will include Ajorque vs Antoine Mendy and Doumbia vs Hicham Boudaoui.
Brest Suspensions & Injuries
Brest will be dealing with several injury setbacks going into this match. The absence of key players could pose significant challenges for Eric Roy’s side.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Soumaila Coulibaly | Groin injury | Late May 2025 |
| Justin Bourgault | Foot injury | Late May 2025 |
| Jordan Amavi | Calf injury | Late May 2025 |
| Mama Balde | Unknown | Late May 2025 |
| Romain Faivre | Unknown | Late May 2025 |
| Julien Le Cardinal | Hamstring injury | Late May 2025 |
The number of injuries could impact Brest’s defensive stability and overall squad depth, especially in the later stages of the match. Players such as Coulibaly and Amavi are critical in defense, while Faivre’s creativity will be missed. This may force the coach to rely on less experienced players to step up against a strong Nice side.
Brest Tactics and Formation
Brest’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Ludovic Ajorque, the team’s top scorer with 13 goals this season.
- Midfield Trio: Pierre Lees-Melou, Mahdi Camara, and Kamory Doumbia bring balance and creativity.
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games highlight their defensive resilience.
- Notable Strategy: Brest has a record of scoring in 85% of matches this season, showing their offensive capability.
Starting with a solid 4-3-3 formation, Eric Roy relies on a structured approach. The midfield trio supports both defensive duties and attacking transitions. Ajorque will be vital up front, capitalizing on any defensive lapses from Nice. Despite numerous injury woes impacting their depth, commanding the midfield will be key for Brest to disrupt Nice’s flow.
Nice vs Brest Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brest | Nice | 2024-11-02 | Ligue 1 | 0-1 (Win) |
| Brest | Nice | 2024-02-04 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Nice | Brest | 2023-10-01 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Brest | Nice | 2023-04-16 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Nice | Brest | 2022-11-06 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
In the last five encounters between Nice and Brest, Nice has come out on top twice, with Brest winning once, and the other two matches ending in draws. This history gives a slight advantage to Nice, especially since they will be playing at home this time around.
Given these statistics, these match-ups have generally been closely contested affairs, often resulting in low-scoring games.
Odds accurate as of 15/05/2025 20:01, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
