Tonight at the Allianz Riviera (which is expected to be sold out for once), OGC Nice will host Saint-Etienne with the prospect of securing direct qualification for the next edition of the Europa League.
A true final for the fourth place, or even better, for an OGC Nice team coming off an unexpected defeat at Nantes, and currently in fifth place. Opposite them, Saint-Etienne, fourth in the standings, remains unbeaten in their last seven matches.
One point separates the two teams (58 for Les Verts, 57 for the red and black) and, with 6 theoretical points available, tonight’s result could be practically decisive for the final standings.
In recent seasons, Nice has struggled against Saint-Etienne. The Gym has won only one of their last seven encounters against the Forez club in Ligue 1 (1 win, 3 draws, 3 losses).
However, the Nice team is very strong at the Allianz Riviera. They have won eight of their last ten home matches in the top tier (6 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss).
But beware, Saint-Etienne is finishing the season with a bang. ASSE has lost only two of their last thirteen championship matches (7 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses), against Caen, on February 28 (1-2), and Guingamp, on March 12 (0-2).
Christophe Galtier can rely on a rock-solid defense. Indeed, his players haven’t conceded a goal in eight consecutive matches.
The Nice team dreams of repeating the outstanding performance of last September 27 during the first leg at the Geoffroy Guichard cauldron, when they brought tears to the eyes of the local supporters with a resounding 4-1 victory.
Don’t they say, history repeats itself, and this time, for tears of joy?
Photo credit: www.ogcnice.com
