Key Takeaways
- Elye Wahi misses the match due to injury after scoring against Marseille last week
- Kevin Carlos gets a rare start in attack for the home side
- Claude Puel expects to name an unchanged side apart from the forced change up front
OGC Nice will welcome RC Lens for an evening kick-off this weekend. The hosts want to protect their five-point cushion above the relegation playoff position. AJ Auxerre currently sits in that danger zone.
Nice picked up a draw on their travels last Saturday. They drew 1-1 with Olympique de Marseille. Elye Wahi found the net from the penalty spot in that match.
Manager Claude Puel cannot call upon his main striker. Wahi picked up an injury after his goal last week. Kevin Carlos will take his place in the attack. This is a rare opportunity for the Spaniard.
The Spanish forward joined the club last summer. He has had a tough time adjusting to French football. Carlos is still searching for his first Ligue 1 goal.
Puel will probably keep the rest of the team the same. He wants consistency in his line-up. Morgan Sanson only played 45 minutes against Marseille. Sofiane Diop replaced him for the second half of the derby. However, Sanson should return to the left wing for this fixture.
The predicted line-up is as follows: Yehvann Diouff starts in goal. The defence includes Kojo Peprah Oppong, Juma Bah, and Antoine Mendy. Melvin Bard, Salis Abdul Samed, Hicham Boudaoui, and Jonathan Clauss will play in midfield. The attack features Morgan Sanson, Kevin Carlos, and Mohamed-Ali Cho.