On paper, the advantage is given to Nice, who are in 6th place in the standings against a 17th place for Sochaux. However, it will not be an easy match for Claude Puel’s protégés who will have to face a Sochaux squad eager for points to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
But there is no question of letting anything go for the eaglets, who have managed to spread their wings in this 2012/2013 season which, according to the upcoming results, could even lead to a European qualification, which would be the cherry on top of the cake for the new grand stadium in which the Azureans will play in the coming seasons. But to continue dreaming of Europe, they will have to beat Sochaux this afternoon from 2 PM on the Hill of Ray. For this, the Azurean coach hasn’t made any changes compared to the group from the last match at Toulouse, except for Bosetti, who is suspended. All indications are positive for a red and black team eager to confirm their fine victory at Toulouse (3-4) as well as erase their last home setback against Olympique de Marseille (0-1).
On the Sochaux side, it’s known that the trip to the capital of the Côte d’Azur is a high-risk journey, and not in the stands this time but on the field where Nice, this year, shows formidable solidity and efficiency. True, the victory in Lyon (1-2) during their last outing lifted the spirits of the lion cubs, but in their last home match, Eric Hély’s men could do no better than a draw against Ajaccio (0-0). It’s a tense situation for the club led by Alain Cordier who will have a lot on their plate in the upcoming days with the reception of Bordeaux followed by a perilous trip to Lille. Any point taken in Nice won’t have to be made up during their rescue mission.
In the standings, it’s more towards the top that the Nice team is looking, and this Sunday, a win could be very profitable when considering that Marseille will be challenging Lille tonight from 9 PM and that Lyon will host Toulouse starting from 5 PM. It’s imaginable that the eaglets will be the fervent supporters of their last victim, while in the other match, a draw or a Marseille win would further distance the northerners in the standings. With only 7 games yet to play, points will be worth their weight in gold, especially at home, where the Azureans will host the last-place team Troyes and Lyon and travel to Paris, Rennes, Evian, and Ajaccio. Thus, it’s a chance to secure a third-place tie with Saint-Etienne being contested this afternoon in a Ray stadium experiencing the first of its last three games on the Nice hill.
The OGC Nice Squad
Claude Puel has selected a squad of 18 players to host Sochaux. No changes have been made compared to the victorious group in Toulouse, except for the suspension of Bosetti.
Goalkeepers: Hassen, Ospina
Defenders: Civelli, Genevois, Gomis, Kolodziejczak, Palun, Pejcinovic
Midfielders: Abriel, Anin, Bruins, Digard, Meriem, Pied, Traoré
Forwards: Bahoken, Bauthéac, Cvitanich
Absent Players
Delle, Hennion, M’Bow, Pentecôte (injured), Bosetti, Eysseric (suspended), Berthomier, Dao Castellana, Diaz, Fofana, Maupay (coach’s decision)
Referees for Nice – Sochaux
The referees for the Nice – Sochaux match will be Jean-Charles Cailleux officiating the whistle, assisted by Nicolas Henninot and Hicham Zakrani. The fourth referee will be William Lavis.
