Lens vs Nice prediction 22.05.2026 | Coupe de France

Lens enter the final in magnificent form despite recently losing 2-0 against PSG in a potential title-deciding league fixture. They bounced back with an emphatic 4-0 win over Lyon last weekend and before that defeat to the reigning league champions, Pierre Sage’s men had also recorded commanding victories against Nantes and Toulouse, while also drawing 1-1 away at Nice earlier this month.

Offensively, Lens have been one of the most productive sides in France this season. Wesley Saïd and Odsonne Édouard have both delivered important goals during the run-in, while Florian Thauvin’s creativity and experience have added another dimension to the attack. 

There are, however, some injury concerns for Lens heading into the final. Jonathan Gradit, Samson Baidoo, Kyllian Antonio, and Régis Gurtner are all expected to remain unavailable. 

Defensively, Lens have also improved significantly in recent weeks. They conceded only two goals across their final three Ligue 1 fixtures - both against PSG - and generally looked far more compact during the closing stretch of the campaign.

Nice’s form heading into the final is considerably less convincing. Franck Haise’s side failed to win any of their final eight Ligue 1 matches and finished the season in 16th place, forcing them into a relegation playoff. Their latest outing ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw against bottom-side Metz.

Nevertheless, Nice have shown resilience in cup competitions throughout the season. Their 2-0 semifinal victory over Strasbourg was a solid proof of their defensive organisation and ability to capitalise on their chances if possible. Elye Wahi has been particularly influential in the Coupe de France run, while Marcin Bułka continues to provide reliability in goal.

Injury issues could complicate matters further for Nice. Mohamed Abdelmonem and Moïse Bombito are both expected to miss the final, reducing defensive stability against one of Ligue 1’s most dangerous attacking teams.

One positive for Nice is their ability to stay competitive in tighter matches. Three of their last five fixtures ended level (all under 2.5 goals)l, highlighting a cautious tactical approach that could again be used in an attempt to frustrate Lens over 90 minutes.