The first leg of the Ligue 1 play-off final between Nice and Saint-Etienne ended goalless on Sunday, which means the second leg at the Allianz Riviera Stadium now becomes a winner-takes-all affair.
Nice have been in the French top-flight since the 2002-03 season, but their long run will end if they are beaten by Ligue 2 side Saint-Etienne on Friday, with the visitors looking to bounce straight back after being relegated last season.
Les Verts finished third in the second tier this season, then beat fifth-placed Rodez on penalties after a goalless draw to earn the right to challenge Nice, who were 16th of 18 in Ligue 1.
Nice v Saint-Etienne Tips Summary
Best Bet - Draw after 90 minutes @ 21/10
Alternative Bet - Under 8.5 match shots on target @ 5/6
Bet Builder - Lucas Stassin 1+ shots on target, Ali Abdi 1+ shots & Most goals in neither half @ 15/2
Nice v Saint-Etienne Prediction
Best Bet: Draw after 90 minutes @ 21/10
The draw looks a big price at 21/10 for what could be a cagey affair between Nice and Saint-Etienne.
It certainly might not lead to many worries for stalemate backers if the match follows the same pattern of Sunday's first leg in Saint-Etienne.
There neither side had a single shot on target in a match that produced the lowest expected-goals figure in France over the last four seasons.
With players from Nice in particular looking nervous given the high stakes, few were willing to take risks.
Nice enjoyed a fine run in the Coupe de France this season, reaching the final where they lost 3-1 to Lens, but their Ligue 1 form has been dreadful, with only one win since January.
Les Verts are at least more used to winning than their hosts, but they did most of their good work in the second tier at home this season, so their best chance has possibly gone.
The absence of supporters in the stadium means Nice don't have as much of a benefit from playing at home as they would usually enjoy and this one could go to extra-time.
Alternative Bet: Under 8.5 match shots on target @ 5/6
Given neither goalkeeper had much to do during the first leg, backing under 8.5 shots on target for the return makes plenty of sense.
The second match surely can't be as dire as the initial skirmish was, but there's still a lot of scope for the bet to land even if both teams come out of their shells a little.
Nice didn't score more than once in any of their last eight league games, while Saint-Etienne conceded only 11 goals in their final 12 Ligue 2 fixtures, so both sides may just be hoping for one lucky break to go their way.
Nice v Saint-Etienne Bet Builder Tip
Lucas Stassin 1+ shots on target
Ali Abdi 1+ shots
Most goals in neither half
Pays 15/2
Begin a three-leg bet builder on Friday's big game in France by taking Saint-Etienne's Lucas Stassin to do what no player managed in the first match and have a shot on target.
The Belgian striker scored 11 goals and provided six assists in the league this season and looks a likely candidate to at least make the home goalkeeper work.
Ali Abdi is one of Nice's chief goal threats despite playing at left-back, which says plenty about the home side's scoring prowess.
The Tunisia international has popped up with some important strikes, including the equaliser in the recent home draw with Lens and he can have at least one shot.
Add most goals to occur in neither half, which is guaranteed to land in the event of a 0-0 draw and may also hit in a 1-1 draw, for a potential 15/2 payout.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Nice lost only five of their 17 home Ligue 1 games this season
Saint-Etienne won seven of their 17 Ligue 2 away fixtures
Saint-Etienne have lost only three of their last 13 league games
Nice scored just 19 goals in 17 home league matches
There have been over 2.5 goals in eight of the teams' last 10 meetings
Neither side had a shot on target in the first leg on Sunday
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
