Preview: Montpellier HSC vs. Nice - prediction, team news, lineups

Manager Francesco Farioli has been one of the revelations across Europe in the Nice dugout this season, and they can ensure they remain top of the table with a win here, playing before everyone else this weekend.

Match preview

The leaders come into this fixture knowing another win for Farioli's Nice side would be a historic one.

Success here for Nice would be the first time in the club's history that they have won five straight away games in the top flight.

An incredible start means they are the favourites to do so too, and they kept that fine run going with a win over Rennes last weekend.

It looked as though Nice may struggle to hold on to a 1-0 lead when Youssouf Ndayishimiye was sent off with a quarter of an hour remaining, but a red card for the visitors levelled it up in terms of personnel, and OGC added another late on thanks to a Steve Mandanda own goal.

That win extended Nice's unbeaten run against Rennes to 14 games, while it was also the eighth time in nine games where Farioli's side kept a clean sheet.

Closest challengers Paris Saint-Germain are the only side to have scored past Nice in almost 14 hours of action, and even then, the Eaglets won 3-2 in the capital.

It is therefore no surprise to see that Nice have the best defensive record in Europe's top-five leagues, having conceded just four goals in 11 games so far.

Their defence is so strong, it has allowed them to collect 25 points despite only scoring 13 goals, fewer than their upcoming opponents and 15th-placed Lorient.

Playing away from home has been of no concern to Nice either, as they have been near-perfect on the road, taking 13 points from a possible 15 in Ligue 1 this season.

No European distractions also means Nice can focus solely on domestic matters, while PSG had a taxing evening in a high-octane clash away to AC Milan in midweek.

While Nice have been brilliantly consistent so far, the same cannot be said for Montpellier, who have alternated between wins and defeats in their last four games.

Michel Der Zakarian's men were ruthless in 3-0 victories over Lorient and Toulouse, but Nantes and PSG have both recorded comfortable wins over Montpellier of late.

Montpellier are down in 13th just one point above the relegation playoff spot, and the side have their fans to blame for that cushion not being a larger one.

While cruising to a 4-2 victory over Clermont last month, the game was abandoned in injury time due to crowd trouble, and the league has confirmed that the game will be replayed in full while also handing Montpellier a one-point deduction.

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:

D

D

W

L

W

L

Nice Ligue 1 form:

W

D

W

W

W

W

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Team News

Montpellier will be without Kiki Kouyate who is to serve a one-match suspension after an accumulation of yellow cards.

Issiaga Sylla will miss around three weeks of action after sustaining a calf injury against PSG, while Leo Leroy is a doubt after picking up a knock this week.

Becir Omeragic is back in training after recovering from a foot injury and Arnaud Nordin has made good progress after a thigh issue, but this may come too soon for both.

Captain Teji Savanier scored all three goals for Montpellier against Nice last season, and they may look to him for inspiration and leadership again here.

Ndayishimiye's red card last weekend means Nice will be without the Burundi international for this away trip.

Alexis Claude-Maurice (calf) and Jordan Lotomba (thigh) are both absent for the visitors, but they should return after the international break.

Youcef Atal remains suspended as he serves his seven-match ban handed to him by the FFP over comments made regarding the conflict in the Middle East.

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:

Lecomte; Sacko, Esteve, Jullien, Sainte-Luce; Chotard, Ferri, Savanier; Al Tamari, Adams, Khazri

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Rosario, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Boudaoui, Sanson, Thuram; Laborde, Moffi, Boga

We say: Montpellier HSC 0-1 Nice

Nice being in great form is not promising for Montpellier, and looking at last season's meetings may make this clash appear even tougher.

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