Ligue 1 | Gameweek 23

Feb 23, 2025 at 4.15pm UK

Allianz Riviera

Nice vs Montpellier

Match preview

Nice followed up their home win over Lens with a second successive victory, beating Le Havre 3-1 at weekend.

It was a much-needed response to their shock Coupe de France exit at the hands of fourth-tier Stade Briochin, which ended a dismal run of one win in six in all competitions.

With the momentum back on their side, Francesco Farioli's men, who occupy the final direct Champions League spot on goal difference from Monaco, will be looking to consolidate their top-three position with another crucial win this weekend.

Adding to their motivation, the Eaglets are on the verge of a landmark achievement as they aim to win their 1,200th home game in Ligue 1 (643 wins, 298 draws and 258 defeats), becoming only the seventh team to do so.

That ambition is underlined by their dominance at the Allianz Riviera, where Nice have won seven of their 10 league games this season and are one of only two teams, along with leaders Paris Saint-Germain, to remain unbeaten on their turf.

Montpellier, on the other hand, find themselves in a familiar predicament, having lost each of their last three matches.

Jean-Louis Gasset's men appeared to have turned a corner after ending a six-match winless streak - two draws and four defeats - with back-to-back 2-1 victories over Marseille and Toulouse.

Back-to-back 2-0 defeats to Lens and Strasbourg followed, before a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Lyon in their most recent outing.

Now seven points from safety, Montpellier are running out of time and must find a way to turn their fortunes around, starting with Sunday's trip to Nice, or risk seeing their 16-year stay in the top flight come to an end.

Despite their struggles, the visitors can take heart from their recent success in this fixture, having won 2-1 on their last visit to the Allianz Riviera before a 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture last December.

Recent Performance

Nice Ligue 1 form:WLWDWW

Nice form (all competitions):WDDLWW

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:LWWLLL

Team News

Nice coach Franck Haise will be forced into a defensive reshuffle with Melvin Bard suspended after picking up two yellow cards in his last outing, paving the way for Youssouf Ndayishimiye to come in at the back.

The hosts will also be without Terem Moffi, Morgan Sanson and Pablo Rosario, all of whom remain sidelined through injury.

For Montpellier, Becir Omeragic is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a serious meniscus problem.

Modibo Sagnan is also unavailable through suspension after picking up too many yellow cards in the last 10 games, meaning Bamo Meite is likely to fill in at the back.

Meanwhile, Nikola Maksimovic, Christopher Julien, Glenn Ngosso and Issiaga Sylla remain sidelined as they continue to recover from long-term injuries.

Possible starting lineup

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Bombito, Dante, Ndayishimiye; Clauss, Boudaoui, Santamaria, Abdi; Guessand, Laborde, Cho

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Tchato, Meite, Mouanga, Sainte-Luce; Ferri, Fayad, Chotard; Savanier; Coulibaly, Delort