Preview: Nice vs. Reims - prediction, team news, lineups

Nice take on Reims in a mid-table clash in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Both sides head into this match in decent form, with Nice unbeaten in five matches and Reims in seven.

Match preview

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Indeed, after a disappointing first two-thirds of the season, which saw them crash out of the Europa League group stage and languish in the bottom half, Nice's form has picked up in recent weeks to climb back into the top half of the table.

Kasper Dolberg's brace helped them secure a 2-1 win at struggling Nantes last weekend, with the Denmark striker converting from the penalty spot before fizzing in a wicked effort from a tight angle 18 minutes later to take the game away from the hosts.

Adrian Ursea will have been pleased with his side's fighting spirit to hold off a Nantes side who rallied well, with Abdoulaye Toure's 32nd-minute goal setting up an entertaining second half.

Nice still have an outside chance of replicating last season's fifth-placed finish and qualifying for the Europa League once again, but with a seven-point gap to Lens, there is certainly no wriggle room left. In truth, Ursea may be content with a top-half finish to build on for next season.

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Reims, meanwhile, are on an impressive unbeaten run of seven matches, although five of those games have been draws.

David Guion's side were involved in a hugely entertaining one against Rennes last weekend, with all four goals in the 2-2 tie scored in a wild second half.

Top goalscorer Boulaye Dia pounced on a rebound to break the deadlock after the hour mark with his 14th strike in Ligue 1 this season, before Serhou Guirassy levelled proceedings from the penalty spot.

Ghislain Konan looked to have found a winner with a rasping strike from distance, but Guirassy snatched a point for his side before Moreto Cassama saw red for a nasty tackle with five minutes remaining.

Guion will be aiming to maintain his side's unbeaten run in Nice on Sunday, with a victory taking them above their forthcoming opponents and potentially into the top half of the table.

Team News

Nice will be without Youcef Atal and Hichem Boudaoui due to groin and meniscus injuries respectively, with both facing a race against time to feature again this season.

Jeff Reine-Adelaide and Dante have been ruled out for the rest of the season with ACL injuries.

Reims, meanwhile, will be without Cassama for two matches after the midfielder's dismissal against Rennes last time out, with Dion Lopy likely to replace him at the base of the midfield.

Valon Berisha will also miss out against Nice due to a knee injury, but could return to first-team action within the next week or two.

Nice possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Daniliuc, Todibo, Saliba, Kamara; Claude-Maurice, Thuram, Lees-Melou; Maolida, Dolberg, Gouiri

Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Foket, Munetsi, Faes, Konan; Mbuku, Cafaro, Lopy, Chavalerin, Doumbia; Dia

We say: Nice 2-1 Reims

We expect an entertaining affair between two in-form sides on Sunday, but Nice could have a little too much quality for the visitors.

Should Dia deliver as he so often has this season, though, Reims certainly have a chance of maintaining their unbeaten run.