The 18th round of Ligue 1 promises an exciting match between LOSC Lille and OGC Nice at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. This could be one of those games that define the season for both teams, each trying to seal their places in the top four. Bruno Genesio's Lille are unbeaten in 20 matches, while Franck Haise's Nice has equally been in outstanding form on a five-game unbeaten run. This is a game that promises much with two in-form teams, tactical battles, and fine margins likely to decide the outcome.
Claim Your Welcome BonusLOSC Lille
Bruno Genesio's Lille have been a model of consistency, failing to lose for 20 matches in all competitions. But their recent form has rested strong on draws. The last five league games read DWDDD. In the previous game, they drew 1-1 against Marseille in the Coupe de France, with Hakon Arnar Haraldsson the star for them with a goal in that important tie, which they eventually won through penalties.
At home, Lille have been hard to breach; they boast three wins and two draws in the last five. They've built this success on defensive solidity, with five successive games under 2.5 goals. Their strong points include scoring first in eight of their last ten games and forcing high corner counts, with over 10.5 corners in five of the last six matches.
OGC Nice
Come into this match in nice form with three straight wins, including the hard-fought 1-0 win over Bastia in the Coupe de France, through Mohamed Ali Cho. Franck Haise has turned this side into a real disciplined and dangerous outfit with some defensive steel and flair in attack.
Their away form also improved as the team managed to win twice and draw twice in their last five road trips. Nice have been involved in plenty of high-scoring matches of late, with eight of their last ten seeing over 2.5 goals scored. They've also proven adept at finding the net themselves, scoring in nine of the last ten, and often the first team to score. Set-pieces and their ability to dominate first halves—winning six of the last seven opening periods—could play a crucial role in this matchup.
Head to Head
This rivalry has been remarkably even in recent years, with Nice holding the edge:
Lille wins: 3
Nice wins: 7
Draws: 10
Lille are unbeaten in the last three matches, Nice boasts an unbeaten run in five. Goals have flown in this fixture, with over 2.5 goals scored in five of the last seven clashes between them and both teams scoring in five of the last six meetings. Nice starts aggressively, taking the lead in five of the last seven meetings.
History of Head-to-Heads
Ligue 1 2024/2025 
Nice
Ligue 1 2024/2025
Lille
Ligue 1 2023/2024
Nice
Ligue 1 2023/2024
Lille
Ligue 1 2022/2023
Lille
Lille Latest Games
Lille
Reims
Lille
Marseille
Lille
Auxerre
Nice Latest Games
Nice
Brest
Nice
Reims
Nice
Angers
Expert Betting Tips
Both Teams to Score @ 1.66 Odds on 1xbet:
With GG landing in 9 of Nice's last 10 and 7 of Lille's last 9, this looks highly likely.
Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80 Odds on Bet365:
Both sides have been in high-scoring affairs in the last couple of weeks, while five of the last seven meetings between these sides have produced over 2.5 goals.
Nice to Score First @ 2.39 Odds on Betway:
Nice's fast starts, netting in the first half in six of the last seven H2Hs, make this a solid pick.
Other predictions
