OGC Nice will face Montpellier HSC this Sunday at the Allianz Riviera, as Ligue 1 returns with exciting matches. With Nice currently pushing for UEFA Champions League qualification and Montpellier fighting to avoid relegation, this match carries significant weight for both teams.
Nice, known as the "Eaglets," has recently found its footing after being eliminated from other competitions, allowing them to focus on the league. Sitting fourth on the Ligue 1 table with 43 points from 23 matches, they hope to secure victory to reclaim third place. Their most recent match saw them triumph over Le Havre with a 3-1 scoreline, marking their fourth consecutive unbeaten match, where they accumulated 10 points. They are facing slight injury setbacks with two key players unavailable, but they remain strong contenders.
Montpellier, on the other hand, is having a season to forget. Currently positioned 18th on the table with just 15 points from 23 matches, they are four points adrift of the relegation playoff zone and six points from safety. The team suffered another disappointing loss to Lyon, ending 4-1. This defeat marked their third consecutive loss, and with nine players sidelined due to injuries, their hope for survival appears increasingly bleak.
The upcoming game promises to be intriguing, especially considering the head-to-head history. The last encounter back on December 15, 2024, ended with both teams evenly matched, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Historical data between the two shows Nice has won 14 times, Montpellier 18, with 13 matches ending as draws over 45 encounters.
Key Stats:
For Nice, players like Evann Guessand and Gaetan Laborde are pivotal. Guessand has been particularly impressive, leading the team with nine goals, and has created 22 chances this season. Laborde follows closely, also contributing significantly to Nice's offensive play.
On the flip side, Montpellier's Tanguy Coulibaly and Teji Savanier have struggled to make significant impacts this season. Coulibaly has registered just two goals, ranking low among league scorers, and Savanier, though more productive with 38 chances created, still lags behind the performance expectations of the team.
Current Form and Betting Odds:
Nice has had formidable home performances, winning seven and drawing three of their last ten matches at the Allianz Riviera. Their betting odds for victory are currently set at 1.39, with draws available at 5.40, and Montpellier's chances at 7.50.
Defensively, the contrasting forms are stark. Nice enjoys the third-best goal differential at +17, having scored 52 goals and allowed only 26. Meanwhile, Montpellier’s defensive frailties are evident; they hold the worst defensive record, conceding 54 goals.
With regard to goals per game, Nice averages 2.0, whereas Montpellier struggles with just 1.0. This disparity manifests clear expectations for the upcoming fixture.
Predictions:
Considering form, historical encounters, and overall statistics, Nice is favored to win. Predictions suggest Nice could secure the match with at least two goals, potentially closing the game at 2-0 or 3-1, depending on Montpellier's ability to muster any semblance of form under pressure. Establishing control early will be key for Nice, who plan to pressure Montpellier’s weakened defense.
Fans anticipate not only another potential victory for Nice but also the possibility of thrilling offensive play, particularly if labored defensive tactics from Montpellier give way to opportunities for the home team.