Nice vs Montpellier Match Analysis & Prediction
11/01/2023 11:00 pm
Nice play host to Montpellier at the Allianz Riviera on Wednesday night, in a Ligue 1 encounter between two sides currently sitting in midtable.
Due to a poor record in front of goal, Nice are now 12 points off the European places, so they will need a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season if they are going to pose a threat near the top again.
With just 16 goals scored in 17 matches, Lucien Favre’s side are the league’s joint-second losest scorers, however they have managed to keep it tight at the back, boasting the fifth-best defensive record.
Since returning from the World Cup break, Nice have faced two tough opponents in Lens and Rennes, and they only managed to pick up one point, against opponents both sitting in the top four.
Les Aiglons will be disappointed by their surprise exit from the Coupe de France last time out, losing 1-0 away at Le Puy F43 Auvergne, a team that plays in the third tier.
Meanwhile, Montpellier have scored 27 goals in Ligue 1 so far this season, although seven of these came in a 7-0 victory over Brest at the back end of August.
After winning three of his first five matches, Olivier Dall’Oglio appeared to be getting off to a good start as manager, however, he was dismissed in October after a run of five defeats in six matches.
Romain Pitau is the new man in the dugout and has managed to steady the ship somewhat, and earned a good win away at sixth-placed FC Lorient at the end of December, however, his side have started to struggle again in recent weeks.
In their first game of 2023, Montpellier lost 2-1 at home to Marseille, before they were knocked out of the Coupe de France against lower-league opposition, losing 2-1 away at Ligue 2 side Pau, so it has not been the greatest of starts.
Nice vs. Montpellier Head to head
In the previous 40 meetings between these two sides, Nice have claimed 11 victories while Montpellier have won 19, and they have drawn in 10. Montpellier have scored 52 goals and conceded 40 in the process.
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14/09/2019Montpellier2Nice1Ligue 1
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12/09/2020Montpellier3Nice1Ligue 1
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25/04/2021Nice3Montpellier1Ligue 1
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07/11/2021Nice0Montpellier1Ligue 1
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12/03/2022Montpellier0Nice0Ligue 1
Nice Team News
Nice’s Ross Barkley and Nicolas Pepe are likely to play provider to returning striker Gaetan Laborde, who was rested for the last game, and Jordan Lotomba could return at right-wing back.
Favre will be unable to call upon defender Youcef Atal, who misses out with an ankle injury, while striker Andy Delort and goalkeeper Marcin Bulka are out for a few more weeks.
Nice's Last 5 Matches
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16/12/2022Nice0Atalanta3Club Friendlies
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21/12/2022Tottenham Hotspur1Nice1Club Friendlies
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29/12/2022Nice0Lens0Ligue 1
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02/01/2023Rennes2Nice1Ligue 1
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07/01/2023Le Puy Foot1Nice0Coupe de France
Montpellier Team News
Montpellier centre-back Pedro Mendes has a hamstring injury that will keep him out until later in the month, and long-term absentee Theo Sainte-Luce is also not available for selection.
Elye Wahi was not in the squad the game against Pau, and the 20-year-old should return to the frontline, with Tevi Savanier returning in attacking midfield.
Montpellier's Last 5 Matches
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10/12/2022Lens2Montepellier1Club Friendlies
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20/12/2022Montpellier5Rodez0Club Friendlies
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29/12/2022Lorient0Montpellier2Ligue 1
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02/01/2023Montpellier1Marseille2Ligue 1
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06/01/2023Pau2Montpellier1Coupe de France
Nice vs. Montpellier: Odds and Predictions
Main Prediction
Double Chance: Nice or X
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