Competition:French Ligue 1
Date: Friday, 24th February, 2017
Kick off at 23:45
Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice.
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Nice vs Montpellier Preview and Prediction
Title-chasing Nice can put pressure on both Monaco and PSG by getting 3 points from their meeting with Montpellier this Friday night. The home side, having lost just 2 league games this season, will be in confident mood, having won 2 and drawn 1 of their last 3 matches since being beaten 3-0 at Monaco. Monaco currently top the table and have a 3 point cushion between themselves, PSG and Nice. Nice do however have a vastly inferior goal difference to their 2 rivals and this may become more of a factor towards the end of the season.
Nice have had a tight defence which has seen them concede just 20 from 25 matches, but the form of strikers Alassane Plea and Mario Balotelli, who have 11 and 9 goals each, has seen them able to maintain a real challenge for silverware. Both strikers will need to continue their goal-scoring runs if Nice are to have any chance of upsetting the odds this May.
Montpellier meanwhile have been in indifferent form since the return to action from the winter break. although they have managed to win their last 2 games, a 2-1 win over top 5 side St Etienne which followed a 3-0 victory at Nancy. Goals have not been a problem with Montpellier, scoring 38 times from their 25 matches this season, but they have won only 8 times so far. Key to their solid form has been striker Steve Mounie, who has now scored 10 goals for the side. They should be safe from relegation, already on 32 points, but a minimum of a couple of wins in their next 5 games should make that a certainty.
HEAD TO HEAD
The reverse game back in September finished a 1-1 draw.
NICE VS MONTPELLIER STATS
Nice’s home record is among the best in the division this season and they have won 77% of matches there.
NICE TEAM NEWS
Attacking option Alassane Plea and defender Ricardo Pereira are both currently out injured for Nice.
MONTPELLIER TEAM NEWS
Midfielders Jonathan Ikone and Joris Marveaux are out of action with injuries. However, defender Mathieu Deplagne will be available for selection again after completing a ban.
NICE VS MONTPELLIER PREDICTIONS : over 2.5 goal
