Monaco looking to extend unbeaten run in trip to Nice.
Nice vs
Monaco
As the Côte d'Azur Derby approaches, OGC Nice, reeling from a Europa League setback and seeking improvement under manager Franck Haise, hosts an unbeaten Monaco side eager to reclaim the top spot in Ligue 1, promising an intense clash at the Allianz Riviera.
Nice
Nice lost 1-0 to Hungarian side Ferencvárosi on Thursday night, prolonging their wait for a first win in the revamped Europa League league phase. "If I wasn't worried about that, I wouldn't be aware,” manager Franck Haise said about his team's poor performance after the game. “We weren't there in terms of the determination, and it showed in the result," he added.
The Eaglets will now turn their attention back to Ligue 1, where they have drawn their last three matches after a 1-1 draw with Nantes. The result saw Nice drop to 8th place with 10 points from eight matches.
Next is the Côte d'Azur Derby, which will see Haise's side host high-flying Monaco. Nice have won two of the last three installments of this Derby, as many as in the previous ten. However, none of these two recent wins were at home.
After Thursday's Europa League loss, Haise is concerned about his team's attitude heading into the derby. “I didn’t feel this attitude problem coming,” he said. “The first lever is having this derby against a team [Monaco] that is largely superior in every domain,” he added.
A 3-4-2-1 formation with Youssoufa Moukoko in attack is expected to be seen against Monaco on Sunday.
Monaco
Monaco are yet to lose a game across all competitions following a brilliant start to the season. Adi Hütter's side boosted their points tally in the UEFA Champions League league phase to seven after a dominant 5-1 win over Serbian side Crvena Zvezda on Tuesday.
In Ligue 1, ten-man Monaco settled for a goalless draw with Lille last time out after Jordan Teze was sent off in the 61st minute. This draw saw the Monégasques drop to second place with 20 points (6W, 2D, 0L), due to an inferior goal difference, tying them on points with first-placed PSG.
A victory against Nice in the derby could propel Monaco back to the top of the league table. Additionally, it would maintain their unbeaten streak in the league, a feat currently shared with PSG and Lens.
Monaco have secured 21 victories away at Nice, more than any team in Ligue 1 history. They also remain unbeaten in their last four visits to Nice (3W, 1D, 0L).
With Folarin Balogun sidelined due to a shoulder injury, Breel Embolo is expected to lead the attack in a 4—2—3—1 formation against Nice. Teze is suspended for this fixture following the red card against Lille.
