Liam Duckstein
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Lyon host OGC Nice in Ligue 1 on Sunday 18 October 2026, and these predicted lineups look at how each coach has used his squad across the most recent matches to project the two expected XIs ahead of kickoff. The contrast is immediate: Paulo Fonseca’s Lyon have rotated a little even while keeping a core group fixed, whereas Olivier Pantaloni has barely touched his OGC Nice side across the sample available. Neither club has confirmed a team for this fixture, so what follows is a data-based projection, not an official announcement.
Predicted Lyon Line-up
Lyon’s projected shape is a 4-2-3-1, which lines up with Paulo Fonseca’s preferred formation. Across the three recent matches used for this projection, Lyon look like a settled side – 10 of the projected XI started their last match – which points to a fairly fixed group heading into this one. Dominik Greif has started all three matches used here and is projected again in goal, while Ernest Nuamah has also started every one of those games and is pencilled in as the central attacking threat up front.
Lyon predicted XI: Dominik Greif; Zachary Athekame, Abner Vinicius, Felix Bacher, Ruben Kluivert; Corentin Tolisso, Tyler Morton, Mads Bidstrup, Khalis Merah, Noah Teye Nartey; Ernest Nuamah
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 3 | Last 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Dominik Greif | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 13 | Zachary Athekame | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 16 | Abner Vinicius | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 20 | Felix Bacher | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| D | 21 | Ruben Kluivert | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 8 | Corentin Tolisso | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 23 | Tyler Morton | 3/3 | 3/3 |
| M | 2 | Mads Bidstrup | 2/3 | 2/3 |
| M | 18 | Khalis Merah | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| M | 99 | Noah Teye Nartey | 1/3 | 1/3 |
| F | 7 | Ernest Nuamah | 3/3 | 3/3 |
Predicted OGC Nice Line-up
OGC Nice’s expected XI is built around a 3-4-2-1, matching Olivier Pantaloni’s preferred setup, though this is based on only two recent matches so the projection should be treated as tentative. Even so, the side reads as settled – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – with every outfield name used here carrying the same start count. Goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf and forward Sepe Elye Wahi both started both matches in the sample and are projected to keep their places for this fixture.
OGC Nice predicted XI: Yehvann Diouf; Mohamed Abdelmoneim, Xavier Mandza, Youssouf Ndayishimiye; Gauthier Hein, Mohamed Amoura, Niels Nkounkou, Axel Witsel, Djibril Coulibaly, Jonathan Clauss; Sepe Elye Wahi
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 23 | Yehvann Diouf | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 5 | Mohamed Abdelmoneim | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 35 | Xavier Mandza | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 55 | Youssouf Ndayishimiye | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 7 | Gauthier Hein | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 9 | Mohamed Amoura | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 27 | Niels Nkounkou | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 28 | Axel Witsel | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 39 | Djibril Coulibaly | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 92 | Jonathan Clauss | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| F | 11 | Sepe Elye Wahi | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Injuries and Suspensions
Loïs Openda, Nicolás Tagliafico and Mohamed Ouedraogo are out injured, which touches Lyon’s attack, defence and midfield in turn rather than concentrating the problem in one line. With Openda unavailable up front, Pavel Šulc looks the most likely bench option to step into an attacking role given his two starts across the matches used for this projection.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loïs Openda | F | injured | Leg Injury |
| Nicolás Tagliafico | D | injured | Jumpers knee |
| Mohamed Ouedraogo | M | injured | Jumpers knee |
Moïse Bombito, Morgan Sanson, Antoine Mendy and Laurent Abergel are out injured for OGC Nice, a list that thins both the back line and central midfield options. None of the listed bench players have started in the matches used here, so there is no obvious standout replacement; Hicham Boudaoui is the most experienced name among those in reserve.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moïse Bombito | D | injured | Leg Injury |
| Morgan Sanson | M | injured | Jumpers knee |
| Antoine Mendy | D | injured | Jumpers knee |
| Laurent Abergel | M | injured | Jumpers knee |
Where These Predictions Come From
Each predicted lineup is built from that side’s recent matches only – three for Lyon, two for OGC Nice – with more recent matches weighted more heavily than older ones. Players confirmed injured or suspended have been removed from contention before the projection is assembled. This is a projection that can and will change once the official team news for this match is published, and OGC Nice’s smaller sample in particular should be read with that caution in mind.
Read also: Lyon vs OGC Nice Head-to-Head: Record, Stats & Form as of 17 Oct 2026
Read also: Lyon vs Nice Prediction: 18.10.2026 Ligue 1
FAQ
What formation is each side expected to use against the other before kickoff?
Lyon are projected in a 4-2-3-1 under Paulo Fonseca, while OGC Nice are expected to set up in a 3-4-2-1 under Olivier Pantaloni, based on recent matches.
Who is predicted to start in goal?
Dominik Greif is projected in goal for Lyon, having started all three matches used in this projection, with Yehvann Diouf expected to start for OGC Nice after doing so in both matches used here.
Who is unavailable for Lyon and OGC Nice?
Lyon are without Loïs Openda, Nicolás Tagliafico and Mohamed Ouedraogo through injury, while OGC Nice are missing Moïse Bombito, Morgan Sanson, Antoine Mendy and Laurent Abergel, also through injury.
When do Lyon and OGC Nice play, and where can I see the predicted lineups and team news?
Lyon host OGC Nice on Sunday 18 October 2026, and the predicted lineups and team news above reflect the most recent available data ahead of that kickoff.