Jan Novak
Dailysports's expert
The final round of the French Ligue 1 brings a clash between Nice and Brest. The match is set for Saturday, May 17, with kickoff scheduled for 21:00 Central European Time. I'm offering a bet on the winner of this encounter.
Match preview
In recent years, Nice have alternated between fifth and ninth place in the final Ligue 1 standings. This season, the team is once again on course to continue that trend, but heading into the last round, they have a solid chance to finish in the top four and clinch a Champions League spot.
To achieve that, they need to beat Brest in their final match and also maintain a better goal difference than Lille and Strasbourg. Currently, all three sides are level on 57 points, with Nice sitting higher thanks to their superior goal balance.
Qualifying for Europe's premier club competition would be Nice's first time in eight years, though some unexpected complications could arise. If Manchester United secure a Champions League place by winning the Europa League, UEFA could raise questions due to ownership regulations. Remember, clubs owned by the same group cannot compete in the same tournament, and Nice are affiliated with the structure controlling the English powerhouse.
Interestingly, the "Eaglets" could have even challenged for second place. But their hopes of a medal were dashed by last round's defeat to Rennes.
Brest are enjoying the best period in their history. After an incredible previous season, which saw them finish third, the club made their Champions League debut. That campaign can be called a success, as the French side never looked out of their depth and put up a fight against every opponent.
Ultimately, an 18th-place finish allowed them to reach the play-offs, where PSG put the bold newcomers in their place. Brest lost their nominal home leg in Guingamp with dignity (just 0-3), but were simply humiliated in Paris — 0-7.
In Ligue 1, Éric Roy's men have had a fairly steady season. They couldn’t repeat last year’s heroics, but nobody really expected them to. The "Pirates" are certain to finish around 8th or 9th place, which is still a very decent achievement.
In their final match, Brest could struggle for motivation, as they have no remaining objectives — there’s absolutely no difference between finishing eighth or ninth.
Match facts
- Nice have won their last two home matches.
- Nice have suffered 4 defeats in their last ten outings.
- Brest have kept clean sheets in two consecutive matches.
- The last three Brest away games have produced a whopping 17 goals.
- On average, Nice score 2 goals per home game, while Brest net 1.3 goals per away match.
Probable lineups
- Nice: Bulka, Mendy, Bombito, Bard, Clauss, Boudaoui, Rosario, Abdi, Laborde, Diop, Boga.
- Brest: Bizot, Aidara, N'Diaye, Fernandes, Lala, Magnetti, Camara, Doumbia, Pereira Lage, Del Castillo, Ajorque.
H2H
- Over the past three years, these teams have met five times, scoring just three goals between them.
- Brest have not beaten Nice away since 1989.
Prediction
The hosts look like clear favorites, with a Champions League spot still up for grabs. Given Brest’s lack of motivation and their defensive issues (they've conceded more than any team in the league except the main strugglers — Le Havre, Saint-Étienne, and Montpellier), Nice simply must take all three points. Haise’s men typically open the scoring, and if they do so here, Brest’s chances will be slim. My bet: Nice to win.
