OGC Nice – FC Metz: The Eagles play their future in Ligue 1

This Sunday, OGC Nice closes its 2025/26 Ligue 1 season by hosting FC Metz. In the playoff position, Gym has no room for error and must win, while hoping at the same time for underperformances from its direct relegation rivals, Auxerre and Le Havre. The Eagles’ place in the elite is more in danger than ever. All the pre-match information for this encounter is available here.

Dante would probably have imagined a better scenario for what would be his 284th and final Ligue 1 match of his career (the 272nd in OGC Nice colors). If the Brazilian were to play this final championship match – which was not the case in the Eagles’ last six outings – he would probably have imagined different stakes to conclude beautifully in front of his home crowd at the Allianz Riviera. This Sunday, the Nice players will play nothing less than their future against FC Metz (kick-off scheduled for 21:00). A playoff scenario would darken the end of the Captain’s red and black adventure, in addition to disrupting Azure dreams during the French Cup final next May 22 at the Stade de France. And put even more pressure on the entire club!

Before these final ninety minutes, the calculations are simple. In playoff position, Ali Abdi‘s teammates find themselves obliged to win this final Ligue 1 match of the season. Gym has the same number of points as Auxerre and trails Le Havre by one point. A draw won’t be enough for Claude Puel’s men to secure an unexpected reprieve. Nice has a negative goal difference against its two predecessors. Another factor to consider: at the same time as a Nice victory, they will need to hope for a stumble from AJA, at LOSC‘s home or from HAC away at Lorient. In short, the Eagles won’t be masters of their own destiny alone.

Essential victory to avoid playoffs

To get back to winning ways, they’ll need to do much, much better than last weekend at Auxerre (1-2). On the pitch of a direct relegation rival, Morgan Sanson and his teammates had been overturned by Auxerre players far more determined, focused, and motivated by the idea of pulling off the week’s upset. The Azure side hadn’t brought the ingredients needed for such a high-stakes encounter. This direct confrontation completely reignited the relegation battle. Gym had actually had the opportunity to secure safety before this final championship match and was calmly preparing the French Cup final against Lens.

Squad-wise, Claude Puel will regret the absence of Melvin Bard, suspended. The red and black defender is paying the price for an accumulation of yellow cards against him in recent championship matches. In addition to his defender, the OGC Nice coach should still be without Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Moïse Bombito and Mohamed Abdelmonem, who are injured or in recovery. Finally, the Elye Wahi case remains treated day by day, more or less. Last week, the Ivorian international was able to play nearly thirty minutes. Can he push further this weekend? Nothing is less certain.

Across the way, FC Metz occupies 18th place in Ligue 1 and is already condemned to take the elevator ride following this match. The Messins will play in Ligue 2 next season. Decimated, the promoted team arrives on the Côte d’Azur with no sporting stakes to worry about, except to conclude this championship on a positive note. Since his arrival at the club in February, Benoît Tavenot has not won a single Ligue 1 match. But Lorraine’s last league win dates back to late November with the home reception of OGC Nice at Stade Saint-Symphorien (2-1). Caution advised, even if Gautier Hein‘s teammates suffered a slap from Lorient (0-4)!

Probable lineups:

Nice: Diouf – Clauss, Mendy, Bah, Oppong, Abdi – Sanson (C), Samed, Boudaoui – Cho, Wahi (or Diop)

Metz: Fischer – Kouao, Sané, Yegbe, Ballo-Touré – Munongo, Stambouli (C), Touré – Abuashvili, Kvilitaia, Hein.