Monaco vs Nice prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-09-21 19:00.
Even at this early stage of the season, Monaco must be dreaming of just a second Ligue 1 title in 24 years as they sit top of the table after five games (W3, D2). Perhaps a good omen lies in the fact that the last time they went unbeaten through their first five league matches was the last time they lifted the trophy in 2016/17, but even in glory, they lost their sixth match of the season to upcoming opponents Nice, who romped to a 4-0 victory that day!
Adi HĂĽtter and his men will be hoping that the same doesn’t happen here, having already established themselves as the division’s great entertainers. Their matches so far this term have produced 22 goals, four more than the next-highest figure in France’s top-flight (Montpellier’s 18). Perhaps unsurprisingly therefore, Monaco have also found the back of the net most often in the league, scoring 15 – five more than any other side.
Nice certainly won’t be overawed by the task at hand however, especially as under new boss Francesco Farioli they are one of four teams who remain undefeated in Ligue 1 this season (W2, D3). Not only do they have the memory of spoiling Monaco’s unbeaten start from six years ago to draw inspiration from, but they were also comfortable 3-0 winners at Stade Louis II in last term’s corresponding fixture in February.
That win was also the last time the Eaglets won back-to-back league matches, and they will be confident of repeating the feat after sensationally upsetting PSG 3-2 last weekend in Paris. Farioli may also be wondering what might have been, as the opening two games of his tenure were 1-1 draws after his side scored the opener on both occasions.
Players to watch: Folarin Balogun will be pushing for his first Monaco start after scoring his maiden goal for the club at Lorient. Terem Moffi netted a brace at PSG, and he loves facing Monaco, scoring a career-best seven goals against them.
Hot stat: Nice are unbeaten in their last 35 away matches in all competitions when scoring the first goal (W25, D10).