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In their first top-flight meeting since 2010, newly-promoted Le Mans make the long trip south to a shaky Nice outfit still reeling from last season’s relegation scare.
Both sides are seeking their first Ligue 1 wins this campaign after the opening two rounds.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions..
Nice vs Le Mans key stats
- Nice are yet to score a goal this Ligue 1 term.
- The Eagles are unbeaten in five successive home league outings.
- Le Mans finished the 2025/26 Ligue 2 campaign in second position.
- Les Mucistes are seeking a first Ligue 1 win in over 16 years.
Nice vs Le Mans preview: Long-awaited victory for Mucistes
Nice vs Le Mans — Tale of the Tape
| Nice | vs | Le Mans |
|---|---|---|
| 17th | Position | 13th |
| 1 | Points | 1 |
| 0 | Goals For | 4 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 11th | Home / Away Rank | 13th |
A critical playoff win against St. Etienne saved Nice from relegation, but the club’s struggles persists into the new campaign.
The Eagles opened the season with a goalless stalemate against Lorient, before Paris FC thrashed them 3-0 in what turned out to be their third successive winless H2H.
Nice have won only one of their last eight Ligue 1 outings.
Their struggles show no sign of slowing down, as Olivier Pantaloni’s men risk going winless in their opening three top-flight fixtures or the first time since 2023/24.
Several players are sidelined for the hosts: Moise Bombito, Morgan Sanson, Ali Abdi, Laurent Abergel and Mohamed Amoura.
Le Mans have five players missing as well: Djibril Sidibe (red card), Erwan Colan, Habibou Diallo, Yasser Larouci and Samuel Yohou.
Les Mucistes have relatively enjoyed a decent start despite failing to win any of their opening two games. They held Brest to a 2-2 draw first, before almost stealing a point off Rennes, who needed a winner deep into stoppage time to beat Le Mans.
Le Mans have lost only one of their last seven away domestic matches.
Patrick Videira’s men have shown their readiness in the top flight, with a first Ligue 1 win in almost two decades on the horizon.
Their last meeting against Nice came in the Coupe de la Ligue back in 2019, which they won 3-2. But their previous Ligue 1 meeting dates back to the 2009/10 season.
Nice vs Le Mans form guide & betting tips
| Nice | vs | Le Mans |
|---|---|---|
LLDDL |
Last five | DDLDL |
| 0 | Goals For | 5 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 7 |
LDWDL |
Last five competitive form | DDWDL |
Whispers predicts: Nice 1-2 Le Mans
Over 2.5 total goals at 10/11 (1.90) offers excellent value. Although Nice are yet to score this season their home advantage should prove enough for at least a consolation. Meanwhile, Le Mans have already scored four goals in two games. BTTS – Yes at 4/5 (1.80) is a bet worth backing.
On the same note, Le Mans to win & BTTS – Yes as a joint bet at 7/1 (8.00) offers the best returns.
Double chance in favour of Le Mans i.e. Le Mans or Draw at 21/20 (2.05) makes sense as well.
Le Mans conceded first in both games against Brest and Rennes, but quickly bounced back to stamp their authority. This time, they are expected to score first, with Nice failing to net a single goal in two rounds. Le Mans to score first at 17/10 (2.70) carries significant dividends.
> Over 2.5 total goals at 10/11 (1.90) | Likelihood: Likely
> BTTS – Yes at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Le Mans to score first at 17/10 (2.70) | Likelihood: Probable
> Le Mans to win & BTTS – Yes at 7/1 (8.00) | Likelihood: Likely
> Le Mans or Draw at 21/20 (2.05) | Likelihood: Very Likely