/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F08%2FNice-PA-Images.jpg)
Lorient will kick off their new Ligue 1 campaign with a trip to Allianz Riviera for their clash with Nice on Saturday.
The visitors are eyeing a strong start after their best top-flight finish in over a decade.
Nice, meanwhile, are seeking redemption after enduring their worst campaign in 12 seasons.
Read our Nice vs Lorient prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Nice vs Lorient key stats
- Nice have not won a Ligue 1 home game in 2026.
- The hosts have not scored in their last three outings.
- At least one team failed to score in each of Nice's last five fixtures.
Nice vs Lorient preview: Hosts to turn their fortunes around?
Nice vs Lorient — Tale of the Tape
| Nice | vs | Lorient |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Position | N/A |
| N/A | Points | N/A |
| N/A | Goals For | N/A |
| N/A | Goals Against | N/A |
| N/A | Clean Sheets | N/A |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Nice finished 16th in Ligue 1 last season, needing a relegation/promotion play-off victory to preserve their top-flight status.
While the French Riviera side won four of their first seven home games last term, they went on an 11-match winless league run at the Allianz Riviera, with their last top-flight win on home soil coming back in October 2025.
Unsurprisingly, Nice parted ways with their previous manager after last season's disappointing campaign, replacing him with Olivier Pantaloni, who kicks off his tenure against the same Lorient side he managed last season.
The 59-year-old cannot call upon the services of new signing Laurent Abergel, who is sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, while Morgan Sanson is still in the recovery room after undergoing knee surgery last month.
Additionally, the hosts recently bolstered their squad with the signing of veteran Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel, who could make his Ligue 1 debut this weekend.
On the other hand, Lorient earned a ninth-place finish last season, which is impressive for a team that competed in Ligue 2 during the previous term.
The visitors recruited former Angers coach Alexander Dujeux after Pantaloni’s departure. With no injured or suspended players, the 50-year-old gaffer is expected to field his strongest XI.
Furthermore, Pablo Pagis and Bamba Dieng were Lorient’s joint-top scorers in Ligue 1 last season, and with both players departing the club this summer, questions remain over how their absence will impact the team's attack.
The sides were evenly matched across their three meetings last season; while Lorient remained unbeaten in both Ligue 1 clashes (W1, D1), Nice ultimately got the upper hand in the Coupe de France by knocking them out on penalties.
Nice vs Lorient form guide & betting tips
| Nice | vs | Lorient |
|---|---|---|
N/A |
Ligue 1 Form | N/A |
| N/A | Points | N/A |
| N/A | Form Table | N/A |
| N/A | Goals For | N/A |
| N/A | Goals Against | N/A |
W
W
L
L
D
|
Form (All Comps) |
W
W
W
L
L
|
Whispers Predicts: Nice 0-0 Lorient
At 6/5 (2.20), Nice are considered favourites by the bookmakers.
It is worth mentioning that the last two skirmishes between these outfits were tied at the end of regulation time, and considering that Nice’s last two fixtures ended goalless, we believe that the spoils will be shared at the end of this clash.
Keeping that in mind, a 0-0 correct score is currently priced at 12/1 (13.00).
Moreover, considering Lorient have limited attacking options as compared to last season, while Nice have drawn blanks in their last three outings, under 2.5 total goals at 1/1 (2.00) could be worth a punt.
> Under 2.5 total goals at 1/1 (2.00( | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – No at 23/20 (2.15) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Draw at 13/5 (3.60) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw & BTTS – No at 12/1 (13.00) | Likelihood: Outsider
> Correct Score: 0-0 at 12/1 (13.00) | Likelihood: Outsider