An astonishing sixth place in the standings will visit the Eagles tomorrow night at the Ray, for a match that the Niçois are eager to turn into a victory in order to secure the three valuable points that would distance them a bit more from the relegation zone. For Brest, the focus is more upwards, as a good result on Niçois soil could allow the Bretons to catch up at the top of the Ligue 1 standings.
Once is not custom, it is Lionel Letizi who will guard the Niçois goal following Ospina’s injury while the Azur hospital ward gradually empties with the return of François Clerc, leaving his teammates Hellebuyck, operated on this week, and Mabiala still recovering. Civelli and Faé will be absent due to suspension after accumulating three yellow cards. Eric Roy can thus count on a quite favorable squad to compose his starting eleven and bench.
On the Brest side, before hosting OM before the break, they will have to manage with a few injuries such as Brou Apanga (hamstring), Ngoyi (ankle fracture), and Kantari (adductors). Alex Dupont should not have too much trouble composing his group and can count on Roux, Poyet, and Grougi, who together have already scored 13 goals in Ligue 1. Three defeats in their last three trips to Lille (3-1), Paris (3-1), and Rennes (2-1) could suggest an easier task for the Niçois, but caution is advised as the Bretons envision pinning Niçois and Marseillais to their list of conquests to spend the holidays nice and warm, and perhaps even at the top of the standings, as in the two matchdays when Brest was the leader.
A match well worth its weight in points for each of these two teams who will take to the pitch at the Ray with firm intent to bring down their opponent of the night. A defeat wouldn’t be a disaster for either team, but for the Niçois, a victory against Brest and a good result the following week against Arles-Avignon could see them re-enter the Top 10 which they have left since September and a 7th matchday that marked the beginning of the Eagles’ descent in the standings.
The Niçois squad: Letizi, Veronese, Cantareil, Clerc, Gace, Mabiala, Paisley, Pejcinovic, Ben Saada, Coulibaly, Diakité, Digard, Sablé, Traoré, Bamogo, Ljuboja, Mouloungui, Mounier, Poté
