This Saturday, OGC Nice travels to the pitch of their neighbor, AS Monaco, for the 27th matchday of Ligue 1. As the race for the Champions League heats up, the Aiglons cannot afford to slip up against a direct competitor. All the pre-match information can be discovered here.
It is a Côte d’Azur derby, which unsurprisingly, will have maximum importance in the end of the season for OGC Nice and AS Monaco. With eight matchdays left in the 24/25 Ligue 1 season, both neighbors are fully engaged in the race for the Champions League. For now, the advantage goes to the Monegasques, on goal difference. After disappointing performances before the break, Nice had surrendered their third place on the podium to their future opponent.
As a reminder, Franck Haise’s men are currently on a two-match winless streak in Ligue 1. Jonathan Clauss’s teammates fell to OL (0-2) before conceding a draw in the final moments of the match against AJ Auxerre (1-1). The Aiglons must get back on track to remain in contention for a qualification to the most prestigious club competition, the Champions League.
Melvin Bard suspended
Sent off for the second time this season against Auxerre, Melvin Bard will serve a suspension. He was handed a two-match suspension, with an additional suspended match, for a harsh tackle. The defender will also miss the home game against FC Nantes next weekend. In his absence, Ali Abdi is expected to fill the left flank in this encounter.
Terem Moffi and Morgan Sanson might make their anticipated returns with the professional group for this derby. Having recovered from their lengthy absences, the two OGC Nice players have recently resumed training. The midfielder even participated in a friendly match with the Nice reserve team on March 13. He even scored a goal during a comprehensive victory over Brentford’s U23.
On the other side, AS Monaco currently holds the 3rd spot in Ligue 1. Tied on points with OGC Nice, Adi Hütter’s club is only two points shy of second place, OM. Before the break, Maghnes Akliouche’s teammates secured a victory on Angers SCO’s pitch (0-2). As for Nice, they will need to be particularly wary of Mika Biereth. Having joined the team in January, the Danish striker has already scored 11 goals in nine appearances in the French championship.
Probable line-ups:
Monaco: Köhn – Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Henrique – Zakaria (C), Camara – Akliouche, Minamino, Embolo – Biereth
Nice: Bulka – Bombito, Ndayishimiye, Dante (C) – Clauss, Santamaria, Boudaoui, Abdi – Guessand, Laborde, Diop