After their hard-fought victory against Lorient this Sunday, OGC Nice will make the short trip to the rock to face AS Monaco in a decisive match for both teams’ seasons.
In early April, Nice was still battling with Marseille for the runner-up spot behind Paris Saint-Germain, but in just a few weeks the Gym has nearly lost everything. Indeed, the Eagles have gone four games without a win, allowing Rennes to overtake them.
This Sunday, OGC Nice finally secured 3 points thanks to Andy Delort from a penalty and a header, two minutes before the end of regulation time. But the race remains intense and any slip-up could lead to a terrible disappointment for the Eagles, as only 6 points separate third place (Rennes) from seventh place (Lens).
The next match will therefore be crucial in Nice’s season, and given the particular context, it’s not just any match to be played, but a derby of the Côte d’Azur.
This encounter is just as important for AS Monaco, who are experiencing a challenging season with several changes in management and staff. However, unlike Nice, the club from the rock has awakened recently, winning four consecutive matches including two big wins against PSG (3-0) and Rennes (2-3). With this impressive streak, the Monégasques have closed in on the Top 5 and could potentially take the fourth spot in the standings from the Eagles.
Given the stakes and historical rivalry, we can expect a great derby. Several players could potentially stand out. On the Monaco side, we naturally think of Wissam Ben Yedder, the Monaco captain and the second highest scorer in Ligue 1 with 19 goals. There is also the young full-back Vanderson, who arrived from Brazil this winter and has already made a significant impact on his team. The prodigy Aurélien Tchouameni will also be present. The French international has reached a new level this season, appearing as one of the best midfielders in our championship, earning him several selections for the French national team.
On the Nice side, another strong performance from Andy Delort, Nice’s top scorer who shone again this weekend against Lorient, is expected. There’s also hope for a return to form for Amine Gouiri. The former Lyon player is in a slump in recent weeks and hasn’t been decisive in Ligue 1 since January. In the absence of Dante and Atal, Nice’s defense will be under scrutiny. Impenetrable at the start of the season, this sector has become one of the Gym’s weaknesses lately.
Probable lineups:
AS Monaco in 4-2-3-1:
Nubel – Aguilar or Vanderson, Disasi, Badiashile, Caio Henrique – Fofana, Tchouameni – Vanderson or Diop, Volland, Golovin – Ben Yedder
OGC Nice:
OGC Nice in 4-4-2:
Benitez – Lotomba, Todibo, Daniliuc, Bard or Amavi – Kluivert or Boudaoui, Rosario, Thuram, Gouiri or Kluivert – Delort, Dolberg or Gouiri
