Nice to Lyon

The Ligue 1 clash between OGC Nice and Olympique Lyonnais is set to take place at the Allianz Riviera in Nice on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Kickoff is scheduled for 16:00 local time (15:00 UTC). The fixture marks Round 8 of the French league season, and both teams arrive with contrasting momentum. Nice will be eager to turn around their recent struggles in front of their home crowd, while Lyon come into the game confident after a string of positive results early in the campaign. The Allianz Riviera is expected to host a lively atmosphere, with both sets of supporters aware of the importance of the match.

Nice head into the encounter with a series of injury concerns that could heavily influence their lineup. In defense, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Moïse Bombito, and Youssouf Ndayishimiye are all sidelined with long-term injuries, while left-back Ali Abdi is suspended. Veteran captain Dante remains a doubt due to a knee problem, and Tanguy Ndombele’s availability is uncertain as he continues recovery from a groin issue. Lyon also face absences of their own, with goalkeeper Rémy Descamps out with a wrist injury and midfielders Orel Mangala and Ernest Nuamah both nursing knee problems. Left-back Abner is unavailable due to a groin injury, and manager Paulo Fonseca will serve a suspension, leaving his assistant to lead from the technical area.

Tactically, Nice manager Franck Haise is expected to deploy a conservative approach given his defensive shortages. His setup is likely to involve a three-at-the-back system with wing-backs, emphasizing compactness, structured buildup, and counter-attacking opportunities through pacey wide players. Haise’s side will seek to frustrate Lyon by closing down spaces and relying on transitions. Lyon, even without Fonseca on the sidelines, are expected to maintain their disciplined, possession-oriented style. The team will likely focus on controlling midfield and exploiting wide areas through Malick Fofana, with a strong defensive base anchored by Tyler Morton and Tanner Tessmann in the double pivot.

French sports media in the buildup have emphasized the pressure on Nice to deliver results. Several outlets highlighted the club’s five-game winless streak and the growing frustration among supporters. Commentators noted the team’s lack of stability at the back due to the wave of injuries. Meanwhile, Lyon’s recent form has earned praise, with journalists pointing to their improved defensive organization and efficiency in attack. The consensus across previews has been that Lyon enter as favorites, but pundits also caution that the absence of their head coach could influence their tactical rhythm and in-game management.

In the television studios and pre-match analysis shows, pundits discussed how Lyon’s composure and balance make them well-positioned for this clash. Analysts noted that Nice’s patched-up defense could be a key weakness and that Haise may have to rely on substitutions to inject energy and creativity in the second half. There was also discussion around Lyon’s rotation options, with several analysts predicting that the visitors’ deeper squad could prove decisive in the later stages. Many agreed that if Lyon manage to assert control early, they should be able to dictate the game’s tempo. However, if Nice start strongly and score first, the match could become far more unpredictable given the home advantage and the pressure on both sides.

Watch and Download Nice to Lyon full match replay and highlights, At Saturday, October 18, 2025. The match played at Allianz Riviera, in Ligue 1, France.

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