Before their reunion this Saturday evening, Montpellier has only lost two of its thirteen matches against OGC Nice in Ligue 1 since its promotion to the elite in the 2009-10 season (8 wins and 3 draws).
A visit to the 15th ranked team should not intimidate the 4th ranked team of the championship, which is coming off a home victory against Troyes, but this trip to Montpellier will be much more complicated.
Indeed, Frédéric Hantz’s protégés have been unbeaten in their last five Ligue 1 matches (3 wins and 2 draws), with only AS Monaco currently on a better streak in the elite (6 matches).
It’s not easy then for Claude Puel’s men who will have to play the perfect game to hope to pocket the three points and remain in the top four, hoping for a slip-up by Lyon in Rennes on Sunday evening to reclaim a spot on the podium.
A victory in Montpellier could even be very beneficial in the standings because while the two European contenders face off, with Rennes hosting Lyon, two other pursuers will have tough tasks as Caen (6th) and Saint-Etienne (7th) both travel to poorly ranked teams, Ajaccio (18th) and Guingamp (17th).
Only Mathieu Bodmer will be absent, but Nice’s coach can count on the return of Maxime Le Marchand, which should provide an additional boost to the team following Ben Arfa’s return last week.
Will the Eagles take flight again at La Mosson?
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
