Bastia vs Nice Betting Tips

Bastia has lost two straight, but both of those games were played away from home and both were against some of Ligue 1’s better competition in Saint Etienne and Marseille. Bastia had played pretty well in their first three games winning two and drawing the other, they’ll be viewing the game on Saturday as a “should win”.

They play a relatively ambitious system relative to some of the other mid-table teams in the league, partly because they don’t have the same faith in their back four. Still, there’s developing young talent in this squad and we quite like the prospect of them finishing closer to the European places than the relegation battle this season.

It’s early in the 2015-16 season, but Nice are trending in the wrong direction. After picking up four points from their first three games, including a good performance in defeat against Monaco and a 2-1 win over Caen, they’ve been held to a 1-1 draw by Angers and lost at home to Guingamp.

The trip to Bastia presents a challenge to a side that has suffered mental lapses in an otherwise solid structural game more than anything else. We think that this side will improve as the season progresses, but tonight’s contest will be one test too early.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Bastia are good

We back Bastia as a good side that should win more of these mid-table clashes than they did one season ago. They’ll get something going moving forward and create their fair share of chances, it’s just a question of whether they can take them or not.

2. Home advantage

Bastia’s worst performances this season have come away from home and so have Nice’s. This weekend’s visitors were held by Angers and Troyes. We think it’ll make a difference on Saturday too.

3. Recent match-up advantages

Bastia will benefit from having played against a terrific attacking team in Marseille. They’ll find the pace slower this weekend and should just have an extra edge.