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Auxerre will host Nice at the Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps in their Ligue 1 campaign opener on Sunday, August 18. The hosts are back in the top flight after just one season in Ligue 2, while the visitors finished fifth in the last season.
Auxerre had a mixed run in their pre-season friendlies, winning two of five games. They suffered a 3-1 loss to Reims in their final friendly last week. The club went winless in their last seven Ligue 1 games in the 2022-23 season, after which they were relegated.
The visitors also played five friendlies in the pre-season, with just one win to their name. After a 3-2 win over Lecce earlier this month, they fell to a 1-0 loss to Ipswich Town last week.
Auxerre vs Nice Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have met 49 times in all competitions. Auxerre have the upper hand in the head-to-head with 23 wins. Nice are not far behind with 16 wins. 10 games have ended in draws.
- They last met in the Coupe de France in January, with Nice recording a 4-2 win on penalties in the round of 64.
- Their Ligue 1 meetings in the 2022-23 season both ended in 1-1 draws.
- Auxerre are unbeaten in their last 13 competitive home games, recording 10 wins.
- Nice are unbeaten in their last five away games in Ligue 1, scoring at least two goals in four games.
- The two teams have been evenly matched in their last 10 league meetings, with four wins apiece.
- They have met twice in Ligue 1 campaign openers thus far, with both teams recording away wins.
Auxerre vs Nice Prediction
AJA are set to play their first Ligue 1 game in over a year. They are winless in their last seven games in the top flight, suffering four defeats. They haven't won in their last four home games in Ligue 1, scoring one goal in each. Nonetheless, they won their last five home games in the 2023-24 season, keeping three clean sheets. They will look to build on that form.
Les Aiglons has just one win in the pre-season and will look to improve upon that record. They are unbeaten in their last five meetings against the hosts, recording three wins.
Franck Haise takes charge of his first competitive game for Nice and has some absentees to deal with in the campaign opener. Terem Moffi, Tom Louchet, Jérémie Boga, and Morgan Sanson are all nursing injuries. Sofiane Diop and Youssouf Ndayishimiye are doubtful while Melvin Bard is suspended.
Considering the recent history between the two teams and the visitors' lengthy absentee list, a low-scoring draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: Auxerre 1-1 Nice
Auxerre vs Nice Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Jonathan Clauss to score or assist any time - Yes
