Nice vs Monaco Preview: Prediction, Team News, Lineups
The highly anticipated Derby de la Côte d’Azur unfolds this Sunday as Nice hosts Monaco at the Allianz Riviera in Southern France. This match marks a crucial moment for both teams in their quest for improvement in Ligue 1 standings.
Match Preview: Nice vs. Monaco
Nice, currently sitting in 13th place, is eager to secure their first home victory of 2026. Their recent performance includes a 2-2 draw against Brest, and they have accumulated points in three out of four league matches this year. The team, managed by former Monaco coach Claude Puel, is striving to claim their first home win since matchday 10, when they defeated Lille 2-0.
Despite a rocky finish to 2025, where they lost their final six league games, Nice aims to catch up in the standings. They are nine points behind Rennes for a place in the Conference League. However, they come into this match with a five-match unbeaten streak across all competitions at home. Last season, Nice secured a victory against Monaco in this fixture, winning 2-1.
Monaco’s Recent Form
Monaco, on the other hand, recently found their footing, ending a five-match winless streak with a convincing 4-0 win over Rennes last weekend. This victory marked a significant turnaround for the squad, which previously scored only once in four prior outings. Coach Sebastien Pocognoli hopes to achieve consecutive Ligue 1 victories, a feat they haven’t accomplished often this season.
Despite their positive result last time out, Monaco has struggled away from home, failing to win in their last four domestic matches. The team’s defense has also been a concern, conceding a total of 10 goals in four competitive away games this year. Monaco sits a dozen points behind Lyon for a spot in the Champions League qualifiers, indicating the need for consistency as the season progresses.
Team News
- Nice: Terem Moffi and Jeremie Boga are questionable due to illness. Melvin Bard has a groin issue, while Moise Bombito is battling a leg injury. Youssouf Ndayishimiye and Mohamed Abdelmonem are sidelined with cruciate ligament injuries.
- Monaco: Paul Pogba, Mohamed Salisu, Takumi Minamino, and Lukas Hradecky are all recovering from knee injuries. Wout Faes is doubtful due to an ankle sprain, and Eric Dier, Christian Mawissa, and Folarin Balogun may also miss the match due to hamstring issues.
Predicted Lineups
| Team | Predicted Starting XI |
|---|---|
| Nice | Dupe; Clauss, Dante, Oppong, Abdi; Vanhoutte, Boudaoui; Cho, Sanson, Diop; Wahi |
| Monaco | Kohn; Teze, Kehrer, Zakaria; Vanderson, Coulibaly, Camara, Ouattara; Fati, Golovin; Biereth |
Match Prediction
Considering the recent form of both teams, it is anticipated that Nice may edge past Monaco with a 2-1 victory. Nice appears to be gaining momentum in contrast to Monaco’s inconsistent performance this season.
This thrilling encounter promises to be a crucial fixture in Ligue 1 as both sides vie for key points in the league. For more details on the match and further analyses, visit El-Balad.
