Nice vs Reims Predictions

• The last 13 head-to-head matches have each featured fewer than three goals.
• Five of the last eight Reims away Ligue matches featured fewer than three goals.
• Last season’s corresponding fixture finished 0-0.

History suggests goals won’t come easy

Nice didn’t match up to their owner’s expectations in finishing ninth last season so they have a new coach and a few new players to mount a proper Champions League challenge this year.

The pressure will be on Christophe Galtier to deliver it in good style too, but the experienced coach will first have to sort out a defence that conceded more goals than Reims (14th) did last term.

The axis of Jean Clair Todibo and Dante looked solid in a 1-1 friendly draw with AC Milan last weekend and there have been encouraging signs ahead of the Ligue 1 campaign.

Reims have a new coach too with the man who succeeded Galtier at St Etienne, Oscar Garcia, placed in charge, but he lost last season’s top scorer and there’s little money to spend.

It would be a great effort for the visitors to stop a talented Nice side from kicking off with a win, but last season’s 0-0 draw at the Allianz Riviera offers them hope.

Defensively they weren’t bad last term and Garcia has spent pre-season implementing a new three-at-the-back system that could go either way in this game.

We’re optimistic they can at least keep the score down on Sunday and the history of this fixture certainly points to a low-scoring affair, none of the last 13 meetings having produced more than two goals.

Nice have the quality up front to emerge victorious, however, and if they are able to create enough chances a 2-0 result might be possible.