Still without a win in 2017, OGC Nice hosts Guingamp this Sunday (3 PM), hoping to finally secure its first victory and get back into the title race.
This Sunday’s match will have a particular stake and crucial importance. Indeed, it will be played a few hours before PSG-Monaco, another decisive match for the title. In case of a Nice victory and a Monaco defeat, the Gym would then move as the leader… To Monaco, next Saturday (5 PM)! It goes without saying that victory is almost mandatory against the Bretons, who now have in their ranks… Mathieu Bodmer, who has just joined Alexandre Mendy in the Côtes d’Armor.
The opponent
In 22 outings in the elite, En Avant has amassed 31 points, which has solidly placed it in the upper part of the standings. Antoine Kombouaré’s group has a more than positive record, as it counts 8 wins, 7 draws, and 6 losses. Away from home, Guingamp has won 2 times (in Nancy and Lyon), stumbled 5 times (in Toulouse, Bastia, Rennes, St-Etienne, and Lorient), and shared the points in 4 matches (in Monaco, Dijon, Caen, Metz). That’s the 7th best record in the elite. The Bretons have scored 27 goals this season, making it the sixth-best attack in the championship. At the back, Guingamp has only conceded 23 goals.
The absentees
Nice’s coach Lucien Favre will still be without Ricardo, Younès Belhanda, and Olivier Boscagli, who are still unavailable, while Mickaël Le Bihan is gradually returning with the reserve team.
Antoine Kombouaré will be without his defensive midfielder Moustapha Diallo (suspended and injured) and has also seen Benjamin Angoua depart to Boston. In terms of injuries, the second goalkeeper Romain Salin has undergone elbow surgery.
The Nice squad
Goalkeepers: Cardinale, Benitez
Defenders: Souquet, Baysse, Burner, Le Marchand, Dalbert, Dante, Sarr
Midfielders: Seri, Eysseric, Cyprien, Walter, Marcel, Koziello
Forwards: Balotelli, Pléa, Donis
The Guingamp squad
Goalkeepers: Johnsson, Guivarch
Defenders: Sorbon, Kerbrat, Lévêque, Marçal, Martins Pereira
Midfielders: Deaux, Giresse, Sankoh, Didot, Bodmer
Forwards: De Pauw, Mendy, Privat, Salibur, Briand, Coco
The referee
The second home game for the Aiglons in 2017 will be officiated by Jérôme Miguelgorry, assisted on the lines by Cédric Moreau and Julien Pacelli.
