Monaco vs Nice prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-02-25 16:05.
Monaco suffered just their second defeat of the calendar year on Thursday (W7, D2) as they exited the UEFA Europa League on penalties to Bayer Leverkusen. However, manager Philippe Clement said he was âmore proud than disappointedâ following the loss, which allows them to concentrate fully on their bid to qualify for next seasonâs Champions League, starting with the 124th edition of the âDerby de la CĂŽte dâAzurâ against Nice.
A run of four straight home league wins this month while scoring an average of 3.5 goals per game is keeping them on track for a top-three finish, and the fast-starting MonĂ©gasques opened the scoring inside the first 15 minutes in the last three of those fixtures. That gruelling midweek defeat may lead to a slower start, but they may still be confident of prevailing regardless as theyâre unbeaten across the last seven home H2Hs (W5, D2).
Nice played out a goalless draw with Reims in their last fixture, extending Didier Digardâs unbeaten record to seven matches (W5, D2) since taking over as caretaker manager. With qualification for Europe next term still a realistic target, he was happy to see his side disappointed with the draw, believing it shows they are developing a winning mentality.
âEvery point counts,â he said, and Nice have been picking up plenty of them on the road with just one defeat across their last seven league away fixtures (W3, D3). Extending that sequence could prove difficult though as despite having to make a trip of just 20 kilometres, the Eaglets lost their last three games here after trailing 1-0 at the break, as part of a spate of five H2Hs at Monaco that have seen a 1-0 half-time scoreline (HT: Monaco W4, L1).
Players to watch: Breel Embolo has scored three times after the hour-mark across Monacoâs last three home league games, while Niceâs GaĂ«tan Laborde has netted between the 40th and 60th minute in each of their last two league away fixtures.
Hot stat: Nice are undefeated in Ligue 1 this term after scoring first (W8, D3).