Bastia vs Nice Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview

SC Bastia entertain OGC Nice in a televised Ligue 1 match this Friday night. Read the match predictions to find out why an away win is the betting tip at Stade Armand-Césari. Bastia come into this match on the back of a 1-0 defeat way to AS Nancy-Lorraine while Nice played out a 0-0 draw at home to FC Metz.

Bastia vs Nice Preview

Bastia have had real problems with discipline this season and Allan Saint-Maximin is the latest player to be suspended after getting sent off in the loss to Nancy. Thievy Bifouma has been sold, so Axel Ngando may be afforded a rare start in attack. Enzo Crivelli, Florian Marange and Sébastien Squillaci have injury problems, so it’s going to be a depleted lineup for the hosts.

Nice have also been struggling with injuries with Paul Baysse and Ricardo Pereira the latest casualties. They join Yoan Cardinale, Valentin Eysseric and Mouez Hassen on the sidelines. However, there is some good news as Mario Balotelli returns from suspension and will be eager to add to his impressive haul of 8 league goals this season.

Team Predictions Bastia vs Nice

Bastia 4-3-3 formation: Leca; Keita, Bengtsson, Djiku, Cioni; Danic, Mostefa, Cahuzac; Ngando, Nangis, Diallo

Nice 3-5-2 formation: Benitez; Sarr, Dante, Marchand; Dalbert, Walter, Cyprien, Koziello, Souquet; Balotelli, Plea

Bastia vs Nice Betting Tips

• Bastia have won 2 drawn 3 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
• Nice have won 4 drawn 4 and lost 2 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Bastia have scored an average of 0.9 goals and conceded an average of 2.1 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Nice have scored an average of 1.4 goals and conceded an average of 1.0 goals per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Bastia’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 6 of Nice’s previous 10 matches

Bastia vs Nice Prediction

Bastia’s injury woes have cost them dear in recent matches and they come into this on a three-game losing streak. Unless new signing Lindsay Rose is ready to start, the Corsicans will play this game without a recognized centre-back. Only out of the drop-zone on goal difference, these really are testing times for the hosts.

Nice have done well to stay in the title race on the back of their injury crisis and having Mario Balotelli back is a huge boost. They are level on points with Ligue 1 leaders Monaco and 3 ahead of PSG in third. They haven’t won for three matches in all competitions but have lost just once on the league this season.

Nice are unbeaten in 8 Ligue 1 matches and will be looking to exploit Bastia’s frailties here. The visitors tend to keep it tight on the road and 18 of their last 22 away games have seen under 2.5 goals. I just can’t see the home side being all that threatening here and expect Nice to record a comfortable win.

Free Betting Tips

Match Prediction
NICE at 7/5 with Sportingbet

Over/Under Prediction
UNDER 2.5 goals at 11/17 with bwin

Correct Score Prediction
NICE 2-0 at 21/2 with BetVictor

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