In search of a win for five matches, OGC Nice hosts Angers SCO as part of the 30th round of Ligue 1. The Niçois need to bounce back or risk falling further behind in the race for Europe. All the pre-match information about the encounter can be found here.
It’s a point that might prove very valuable! At the very end, OGC Nice managed to secure a draw point on the field of Strasbourg (2-2) last Saturday. A result against a direct competitor that will matter in the race for Europe. During a difficult period, the teammates of Youssouf Ndayishimiye showed character to avoid leaving Alsace with another loss on their record. As a reminder, the Eagles have not won any of their last five Ligue 1 matches. Their last red-and-black victory in the championship dates back to the beginning of March (3-1 victory away at Saint-Étienne). That was already more than a month and a half ago.
As a result, the Gym is falling behind in the race for European spots. While Franck Haise‘s group had long held on to 3rd place and a podium, they are now in 7th place. OGC Nice is two points behind the Top 5, and three behind 4th, the last qualifying spot for the Champions League. The Azuréens have no choice left; they need to find victory again this Sunday against Angers (the match kicks off at 5:15 PM). The Angevins are generally a favorable opponent for Nice (three red-and-black victories in the last five matches between the two teams).
Wrist fracture for Moïse Bombito
Responsible for the two Strasbourg goals last week, the Canadian international will not be available for this match. Unavailable all week, the defender will only resume collective training next week, according to his coach at the press conference. Absent last week, Mohamed Abdelmonem might take the opportunity to rejoin the Nice starting lineup. The Egyptian defender has recovered from his calf injury.
Finally, Mohamed Ali-Cho and Tanguy Ndombele are still not ready to rejoin the Azuréen group. Both players are still in the infirmary. Finally, Morgan Sanson might start the match a few weeks after returning to competition. The possibility exists for Franck Haise. Although the OGC Nice coach has not yet decided on this matter.
On the other side, Angers is fighting for its survival in Ligue 1. Five matches away from the end of the championship, Alexandre Dujeux’s men are in 14th place, with only three points ahead of the relegation play-off team, Le Havre. In the first leg, Angers suffered a heavy defeat against Nice (1-4). Last weekend, Bamba Dieng’s teammates ended a five-defeat streak by defeating the bottom team Montpellier (2-0).
Probable lineups:
Nice: Bulka – Abdelmonem, Ndayishimiye, Dante (C) – Clauss, Boudaoui, Santamaria, Bard – Guessand, Laborde, Boga
Angers: Fofana – Raolisoa, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin, Ekomie – Belkhdim, Aholou, Abdelli (C) – Lepaul, El Melali