Monaco and Nice will face off in a highly anticipated match at the Stade Louis II on Friday night, with both teams putting their unbeaten records on the line.
Monaco currently sit at the top of the Ligue 1 table, while Nice are in fourth place, just two points off their opponents.
Match Preview:
Monaco may have been held to a 2-2 draw by Lorient last weekend, but they still remain unbeaten this season with three wins and two draws.
Additionally, they have scored an impressive 15 goals in their opening five matches – the highest in the league.
Captain Wissam Ben-Yedder has scored four goals in five appearances, while Takumi Minamino has contributed three goals and three assists, making them a formidable force.
Nice, on the other hand, secured a remarkable 3-2 victory over perennial champions PSG in their last match, with Terem Moffi scoring a brace and Gaetan Laborde adding a goal.
Although Nice only had 30% possession, they managed to register 14 shots, eight of which were on target.
Team News:
Monaco’s injury list includes Breel Embolo, Mohammed Salisu, Edan Diop, and Eliesse Ben Seghir.
Meanwhile, ex-Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria is a doubt for the match after picking up a minor thigh issue.
New signing Folarin Balogun is expected to start as a substitute, while Ben-Yedder, Minamino, and Aleksandr Golovin will continue in attack.
Nice remain without long-term injury absentee Salvatore Sirigu, as well as Antoine Mendy and Alexis Claude-Maurice.
Francesco Farioli is likely to stick with the same starting XI that won against PSG, with Khephren Thuram, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, and Morgan Sanson in midfield.
Terem Moffi will lead the line once again.
Possible Starting Lineups:
Monaco:
Kohn;
Singo, Maripan, Magassa;
Vanderson, Matazo, Fofana, Henrique;
Minamino, Golovin;
Ben-Yedder
Nice:
Bulka;
Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard;
Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Thuram;
Laborde, Moffi, Diop
Prediction:
Expect Friday’s match to be a high-scoring affair between two in-form teams, with both sides bidding to preserve their unbeaten record.
Monaco’s impressive offensive record could give them the edge in this match, but Nice’s solid defense will make things difficult for them.
Our prediction is a 3-2 victory for Monaco.
