20 August 2021, 15:01 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
French Ligue 1 fixture, OGC Nice vs. Olympique de Marseille kicks off at 19:45 (GMT+1) on Sunday, August 22 at the Allianz Riviera.
Preview Nice Ligue 1, Aug 22, 2021
Preview OGC Nice picked up a resounding 4-0 victory over Ligue 1 champions, Lille. Former Lille coach, Christophe Galtier applied his in-depth knowledge of his former employers to see his new side pick the opponents to pieces. Nice were on the front foot from the get-go, - with Kasper Dolberg (1') tucking in the rebound to hand the visitors the lead. Four minutes later, Hichem Boudaoui (5') doubled Nice's advantage with a long-range effort before Amine Gouiri (45' P.) sent the goalkeeper diving the wrong way for the third. Having scored the first, Dolberg (64') returned for the brace four minutes after the hour mark. The victory leaves OGC Nice in 4th place with 4 points after two games: 1W, 1D & 0L. A victory over Marseille could see them climb further on the Ligue 1 table, taking into consideration the results from other fixtures at the end of Match Day 3. Not the type to be deflated when facing supposedly technically superior sides, Christophe Galtier could line up with a conventional 4--4--2 formation. The shape could see both goalscorers from Match Day 2, Amine Gouiri and Dolberg leading the lines. Galtier will have the opportunity to make his selection from a fully fit team ahead of the upcoming game against Marseille.
Preview Olympique Marseille Ligue 1, Aug 22, 2021
Preview Olympique de Marseille will return behind the 2-2 draw against Bordeaux from Match Day 2. The evening didn't start well, as Nigerian forward, Samuel Kalu collapsed to the floor unchallenged during the opening minutes. He was later revived and continued to play before common sense prevailed and he was taken off in the 14th minute. Cengiz Ünder (34') gave Marseille the lead with a fine volley before an equally fantastic effort from Dimitri Payet (41') doubled the lead. But Bordeaux reacted quickly, cutting the deficit down to one shortly after the break. Timothee Pembele (51') saw his shot deflected into goal before Oudin (57') found the equalizer six minutes later. Marseille finished with ten men after Balerdi (R. 88') was given the marching orders for a second yellow. The draw leaves Olympique Marseille with 4 points and in 6th place after two games: 1W, 1D & 0L. Jorge Sampaoli could go with three at the back in the 3--4--2--1 formation with Payet leading the attack. For the trip to Allianz Riviera, he could be without goalkeeper, Páu Lopez while centre forward, Arkadiusz Milik remains doubtful due to a niggling knee injury. Leonardo Balerdi is suspended after the red on Match Day 2.