This Wednesday, OGC Nice will host Montpellier HSC as part of the French Cup Round of 16. Facing a seemingly weaker opponent on paper, the Eagles are the favorites. The Nice team is ambitious in this open bracket, especially after the elimination of the favorite, PSG, in the previous round. All the pre-match information for this event can be found here.
In a season where there is not much left to play for, OGC Nice is placing great importance on the French Cup. Claude Puel’s men continue their journey in the most iconic of French competitions. After dismissing ASSE (2-1) and then narrowly defeating FC Nantes, the Eagles head to the Round of 16 of the French Cup. This time, the Gym will host for the first time in the competition. The Nice team faces Montpellier, currently a Ligue 2 team, this Wednesday at the Allianz Riviera (kick-off scheduled for 8:30 PM). The goal remains the same: to win and be among the last eight contenders for the ultimate title. And to get a little closer to the Stade de France.
Against the Ligue 2 team, OGC Nice is the favorite, at least on paper. Charles Vanhoutte’s teammates have shown promising signs week after week since Claude Puel‘s return. Not everything is perfect yet, far from it, as demonstrated by the match against Brest (2-2) last weekend. The Eagles showed two radically different faces. First lacking efficiency, the Gym was punished by Brest’s realism in the first half. The Nice team then demonstrated character and determination to turn the match around and gained a precious point in the fight for league survival. A strong performance from Elye Wahi—he scored three times in just four matches for Nice—secured the equalizing goal against Brest.
A Match to Assert Ambitions
Regarding the team, there should not be significant changes within the Azur group. Claude Puel will still be unable to rely on Melvin Bard, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, and Moïse Bombito, who are injured. His defensive lineup is once again weakened, although the coach can count on his captain, Dante. Returning as a starter against Brest, the Brazilian has finally shaken off his physical issues and can now continue playing. The hope is that the Nice veteran can play out the rest of the season in good conditions.
Furthermore, Juma Bah returns from suspension. After a challenging start with the Gym, the central defender has put in good performances since the beginning of the Claude Puel era. The player on loan from Manchester City appears to have regained confidence and fully embodies the leadership of the new red and black defense. This can also be said of Kojo Peprah Oppong. After a dry spell, the Ghanaian international has bounced back with OGC Nice in recent weeks.
Opponents, Montpellier, have been playing in Ligue 2 since last summer, following their relegation to the second division after a challenging year in the top tier. The MHSC is gradually rebuilding around a project led by Zoumana Camara, the former PSG defender, who is not afraid to rely on young talent. Until this Monday, the club from the Hérault region counted Victor Orakpo, the Nice striker, in its ranks. However, Nice chose to end this loan due to the player’s inadequate usage on the field and sent their striker to Nancy. In the previous round, Montpellier pulled off a major feat in the French Cup Round of 32 by winning on FC Metz’s turf (4-0).
Probable Line-ups:
Nice: Diouf – Clauss, Mendy, Bah, Abdi – Vanhoutte, Everton, Sanson – Gouveia, Wahi, Diop
Montpellier: Dzodic – Tchato, Laporte, Mouanga, Mincarelli – Everson, Omeragic – Pays, Savanier, Issoufou – Mendy
