Preview: Auxerre vs. Nice - prediction, team news, lineups

The hosts fell to a 2-1 defeat to Clermont last weekend, while Les Aiglons lost by the same scoreline to Slovacko in the Europa Conference League.

Match preview

Former Auxerre head coach Furlan would not leave his post without making quite the statement, but it was one that saw him stick his middle finger up to Clermont fans as the newly-promoted side went down 2-1 to Les Lanciers in gameweek 10.

In a decisive three-minute period, Grejohn Kyei acted as the provider for Saif-Eddine Khaoui to break the deadlock before turning scorer with a wonderful long-range effort prior to the hour mark, and there was time for Jubal to score an injury-time consolation for Auxerre.

Furlan could not keep a cool head as he flipped off the home crowd towards the end of the contest - receiving a red card and the sack for his troubles - but the 64-year-old affirmed that he did not regret his actions before cleaning out his office.

Michel Padovani will now take temporary charge of an Auxerre side that lie 16th in the Ligue 1 table with just eight points to their name, and only goal difference is keeping them clear of Angers in the tightly-packed relegation zone at present.

Since taking seven points from their first four Ligue 1 games, AJA have experienced a seismic downturn in fortunes to lose five of their last six in the top flight, and Padovani must prepare for a baptism of fire in his first game as interim head coach.

While the Auxerre board have pulled the trigger on Furlan, Nice continue to retain faith with Lucien Favre, but the 64-year-old's own job is far from secure following the departure of his assistant Arjan Peco and yet another European setback.

After making last week's 3-2 win over Troyes much more complicated than it should have been, the 10 men of Les Aiglons went down 2-1 at home to Slovacko in Europa Conference League Group D, as Sofiane Diop's opener was cancelled out by Petr Reinberk and Michal Tomic, who struck either side of Jean-Clair Todibo's red card.

Favre admitted that Thursday's loss was "very hard to digest" as Nice sit three points behind Partizan in second place, while their 11-point tally in Ligue 1 is only good enough for 13th place in the table - three clear of the drop zone and nine adrift of the top five.

Favre has overseen just two wins from Les Aiglons' last six games in all competitions during a particularly sticky spell, but a trip to managerless Auxerre represents a prime opportunity for Les Aiglons to get back on track against relatively unfamiliar opponents.

Auxerre and Nice have not butted heads since Les Aiglons claimed a 3-2 win in the third round of the 2018-19 Coupe de la Ligue, and not since the 2006-07 season have the two clubs shared the spoils, drawing both meetings 0-0 that year.

Auxerre Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

L

D

L

Nice Ligue 1 form:

W

L

W

L

L

W

Nice form (all competitions):

D

L

L

W

W

L

Team News

Auxerre will welcome former Brentford centre-back Julian Jeanvier back from a one-game ban for the visit of Nice, but Jubal and Denys Bain are unlikely to have their partnership broken up.

Theo Pellenard is still some months away from coming back from a torn knee ligament, and Gaetan Charbonnier might be fit enough to return from a shin injury this week - Furlan initially claimed that the striker was in contention to feature against Clermont before he was ultimately left out.

Padovani is unlikely to make any significant alterations for his first match in charge, with M'Baye Niang seemingly set to keep his spot at the tip of the attack as Charbonnier takes his place on the bench.

As for Nice, Todibo's sending off in the Europa Conference League means nothing for Sunday's game, but fellow centre-back Dante is serving a one-game ban for an accumulation of bookings.

Favre has experimented with a back three in recent weeks but should now revert to a four-man defence as Dante sits out, which will benefit Melvin Bard's chances of replacing Joe Bryan on the left.

Youcef Atal came off early in the win over Troyes with a muscle issue but will push to return here, while Aaron Ramsey is still doubtful with his thigh injury, and changes can be expected from the visitors.

As well as Bard, Gaetan Laborde and Pablo Rosario can feel optimistic about their chances of earning recalls, but Nicolas Pepe will expect to fend off competition from Hicham Boudaoui out wide.

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Costil; Coeff, Jubal, Bain, Bernard; Toure; Hein, Sakhi, Autret, Da Costa; Niang

Nice possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Atal, Todibo, Viti, Bard; Pepe, Rosario, Thuram, Diop; Delort, Laborde

We say: Auxerre 0-2 Nice

Nice's confidence is not exactly at its peak right now, but Dante's suspension should force Favre into fielding a more attack-minded setup this weekend, potentially with the Andy Delort-Gaetan Laborde partnership being renewed.

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