As Monaco and Nice square off at Stade Louis II on Wednesday evening, both sides will know that a win would move either team to within one point of guaranteed European football next season with kickoff at 8 pm.
Nice is currently in a one-point lead over their next opponents, who also happen to be their closest rivals for second place, and both clubs are still in contention for the runner-up spot behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
When Philippe Clement took over at Monaco, there was no immediate indication that he would do an effective job. However, since the start of March, five wins have come from six games in Ligue 1, the most recent being recorded last Friday as Monaco ran out 3-2 victors at rivals Rennes.
The Monegasques came from behind to close the gap to their third-placed opponents to three points, keeping the club in the mix for the Champions League positions.
Nice have shown signs of wilting in recent weeks, a four-match streak without success leaving them unlikely to claim the runners-up spot behind PSG.
However, their 2-1 victory over Lorient and Marseille losing at home to PSG have put Christophe Galtier’s team back into the mix.
Heading into the derby de la Côte d’Azur, Nice have gone five matches without a road win, their last success coming at bottom-placed Metz back on January 23.
Monaco vs. Nice Head to Head
Both sides have 28 games against each other, with hosts taking sixteen wins while visitors with seven wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Rennes 2-3 Monaco
- Monaco 2-1 Troyes
- Metz 1-2 Monaco
- Monaco 3-0 PSG
- Monaco 1-1 Sporting Braga
Away
- Nice 2-1 Lorient
- Lens 3-0 Nice
- Nice 1-1 Rennes
- Marseille 2-1 Nice
- Montpellier 0-0 Nice
Monaco Team News
Monaco manager Leonardo Jardim may be prepared to name the same starting lineup as the one won 3-2 at Rennes on Friday night. Sofiane Diop, who has 10 goal contributions to his name in Ligue 1 this season, was only used as a substitute, but the playmaker could come back into contention.
Nice Team News
Galtier made a raft of substitutions before Nice scored their winner against Lorient. Kasper Dolberg, who came on for Mario Balotelli in the 73rd minute, provided the assist for the game-winning goal.
Prediction and Odds
Monaco has recently seen an upturn in form, and we think that the home side will edge a competitive contest by the odd goal in three.
- Monaco Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Under 3.5
