Nice vs. Reims Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 2 May 2025 - bettingexpert
Nice are set to clash with Reims in what promises to be a pivotal Ligue 1 encounter at the Allianz Riviera on 2 May 2025, kicking off at 19:45. With Nice sitting in 6th position and eyeing European qualification, they will be desperate to secure all three points against 13th-placed Reims.
In recent form, Nice have been impressive, notably defeating league leaders PSG away, a match where their goalkeeper Marcin Bułka was nothing short of heroic. Nice have won two of their last five matches, but defensive frailties remain a concern as they haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last five games.
Reims, on the other hand, bring a mixed bag of results but have been solid defensively, keeping clean sheets in three of their last five matches. They will look to continue that trend, aiming for a strong finish to their season.
The referee for the match, Abdelatif Kherradji, will oversee the on-field action.
Given both teams’ form and the importance of the match in the broader season narrative, a draw seems a likely outcome, reflecting their balanced capabilities and history of tight contests. Betting on a draw is recommended.
Nice vs Reims Prediction & Betting Tip
- Recommended bet: Draw.
Nice’s recent performance, including their surprise victory over PSG and consistent scoring ability, shows they are in good form. However, both teams have a history of low-scoring encounters and have recorded several draws recently, suggesting a balanced match. Reims’ strong defensive record with three clean sheets in their last five matches underscores a potential stalemate.
| Nice vs Reims Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Draw | 4.71 |
- Both teams have a history of tight, low-scoring matches.
- Reims have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 5 games, indicating solid defence.
- Nice are in good form but have defensive vulnerabilities, not keeping a clean sheet in their last 5 games.
Nice vs Reims Odds
- Write a relevant text about the odds
- Use a table to make the information easy to digest for the reader
| Nice vs Reims Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Nice | 1.42 |
| Draw | 4.71 |
| Reims | 6.88 |
Nice are the bookmaker’s favourites for this match with odds of 1.42 for a home win, reflecting their strong recent form and higher league position.
Punters looking for a draw stand to earn significantly more with odds at 4.71, acknowledging the recent history of tight matches between the teams.
Backing an away win for Reims offers the highest potential return at 6.88 due to their lower league standing and tough challenge ahead at the Allianz Riviera.
Nice Team Analysis
Nice Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris Saint-Germain | 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) |
| Nice | Nantes | 2025-04-04 | Ligue 1 | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Monaco | Nice | 2025-03-29 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Loss) |
Recent Form: WWDLL
Nice have shown a mixed bag of results in their recent outings, with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. Their last victory was a significant morale booster as they managed to defeat PSG 3-1 away from home, thanks to a stellar performance by goalkeeper Marcin Bułka, who made numerous crucial saves.
Nice have averaged 1.80 goals per game in their last 5 matches but have struggled with clean sheets, not managing a single one. Their offense has been quite effective, but their defensive vulnerabilities, conceding 1.4 goals on average per game this season, could pose a challenge.
Nice Key Players
Nice have several standout players who could make a difference in their upcoming match against Reims. Striker Evann Guessand, the home team’s top scorer with 11 goals this season, will be looking to add to his tally. His striking prowess will be crucial, particularly if he can navigate past Reims’ solid defense, led by center-back Joseph Okumu.
Goalkeeper Marcin Bułka has also been in exceptional form, especially notable from his recent heroics against PSG. His 12 crucial saves in that match demonstrate his importance to the team, and he’ll be pivotal in ensuring Nice’s defensive solidity.
Expected lineup for Nice:
- Goalkeeper: Marcin Bułka
- Defenders: Antoine Mendy, Moise Bombito, Melvin Bard
- Midfielders: Jonathan Clauss, Hichem Boudaoui, Pablo Rosario, Ali Abdi
- Attacking Midfielders: Badredine Bouanani, Morgan Sanson
- Forward: Gaetan Laborde
These players will be key as Nice seek to leverage their offensive capabilities while bolstering their defensive stance.
Nice Suspensions & Injuries
Nice have a few significant injury concerns that could impact their performance against Reims. Here’s a look at the current injury list:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Tanguy Ndombele | Groin injury | About 1-2 weeks |
| Dante | Knee injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Mohamed Abdelmonem | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Youssouf Ndayishimiye | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
These injuries, particularly to their defensive stalwarts Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssouf Ndayishimiye, could leave gaps in Nice’s backline. Tanguy Ndombele’s absence in midfield might also disrupt their playmaking capabilities.
The team will need to adapt and rely on their bench strength to cover these significant losses.
Nice Tactics and Formation
Nice Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 3-4-2-1
- Key Forward: Gaëtan Laborde
- Midfield Creators: Badredine Bouanani, Morgan Sanson
- Defensive Line: Marcin Bulka, Antoine Mendy, Moise Bombito, Melvin Bard
- Wing Play: Jonathan Clauss, Ali Abdi
With Franck Haise at the helm, Nice has adopted a solid 3-4-2-1 formation aimed at balancing attack and defense. The absence of key defenders due to injury means the backline featuring Antoine Mendy, Moise Bombito, and Melvin Bard will be under added pressure. Jonathan Clauss and Ali Abdi are expected to provide width and assist both in attack and defense, while Bouanani and Sanson will be pivotal in creating scoring opportunities for Gaëtan Laborde up front. A strong emphasis on midfield control and wing play will be crucial for Nice, whereas, defensively, they need to plug gaps left by key injuries.
Reims Team Analysis
Reims Recent Performance
Reims have shown solid form in their last five matches, boasting three wins, one draw, and one loss.
- Recent Form: DWWLW
- Average goals scored (last 5): 1.00
- Clean sheets (last 5): 3
Their defensive strength is clearly demonstrated by three clean sheets, including a recent 0-0 draw against Montpellier away from home.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montpellier | Reims | 2025-04-27 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Reims | Toulouse | 2025-04-20 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
| Lens | Reims | 2025-04-11 | Ligue 1 | 0-2 (Win) |
| Reims | Strasbourg | 2025-04-06 | Ligue 1 | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Cannes | Reims | 2025-04-02 | Coupe de France | 1-2 (Win) |
Keito Nakamura has been a key player upfront, and the team’s capability to secure clean sheets makes them a tough opponent.
Reims Key Players
Keito Nakamura stands out for Reims, being the top scorer with 11 goals this season. His ability to find the net makes him a crucial part of their attacking lineup.
Expected lineup for Reims:
- Goalkeeper: Yehvann Diouf
- Defenders: Aurélio Buta, Mory Gbane, Joseph Okumu, Cédric Kipré, Sergio Akieme
- Midfielders: Oumar Diakite, Valentin Atangana Edoa, Amadou Kone, Keito Nakamura
- Forward: Jordan Siebatcheu
Key individual battles will likely include Nakamura against Nice’s defense, which has struggled with injuries and clean sheets recently. Another critical matchup will be Siebatcheu facing Melvin Bard, as Reims’ strike force aims to break down Nice’s backline.
Reims Suspensions & Injuries
Reims face several injury concerns ahead of their clash against Nice, which might heavily influence their lineup and strategy:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Reda Khadra | Cruciate ligament injury | Late May 2025 |
| Mohammed Daramy | Knee injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Yaya Fofana | Ankle injury | Early May 2025 |
| Junya Ito | Ankle injury | Mid May 2025 |
The absence of key players like Junya Ito and Reda Khadra could significantly affect Reims’ performance, particularly in their midfield creativity and defensive stability. Ito’s injury, in particular, leaves a gap in the right midfield, forcing adjustments in Reims’ game plan. These injury woes may give Nice an advantage in this crucial Ligue 1 fixture.
Reims Tactics and Formation
Reims’ Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Note: This is their most recent formation observed against Strasbourg.
- Key Forward: Jordan PeFok (Siebatcheu)
- Midfield Trio: Amadou Kone, Valentin Atangana Edoa, Oumar Diakite
- Defensive Strength: The team has kept three clean sheets in their last five matches, indicating solid defensive work.
- Notable Strategy: Reims tends to focus on a strong defensive setup while looking for counter-attacking opportunities, leveraging the pace and creativity of players like Keito Nakamura on the left wing.
Reims will need to capitalize on their defensive solidity while aiming to disrupt Nice’s rhythm on the counter-attack.
Nice vs Reims Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reims | Nice | 2025-01-11 | Ligue 1 | 2-4 (Win) |
| Reims | Nice | 2024-04-07 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Nice | Reims | 2023-12-10 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Win) |
| Nice | Reims | 2023-02-18 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Reims | Nice | 2023-01-15 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
In the last five meetings between Nice and Reims, Nice have secured two victories, while the remaining three have ended in draws.
These fixtures have generally been closely contested, with goals often coming at a premium. Both teams have shown defensive resilience, contributing to several low-scoring encounters.
Additionally, Nice’s recent strong form, highlighted by a historic away victory against PSG, might give them an edge in this matchup.
Odds accurate as of 30.04.2025 19:47, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any {bookmaker}.
