Nice will be eager to return to the domestic scene with a win on Sunday when they play host to Monaco in the French Ligue 1 following their midweek defeat in the Europa League in the Czech Republic.
A three-match unbeaten run in all competitions for Nice came to an end on Thursday night as they lost 3-2 away at Slavia Prague in the Europa League but prior to that loss, Nice had chalked up wins against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the same competition and followed that up with a resounding 3-0 win away from home at Angers in Ligue 1.
Overall, Nice have lost just twice out of their first nine matches in the French top flight, winning five of these nine games thanks to wins against Lens 2-1, Strasbourg 2-0, Nantes 2-1, Saint-Etienne 3-1 and the aforementioned 3-0 win over Angers.
The bigger picture shows that eight of Nice’s last 11 matches at home have also seen over 2.5 goals while forwards Dolberg and Gouiri (3 goals apiece) have been the major contributors in front of goal to date for the hosts.
Monaco jumped up into 8th place and just three points adrift of their Sunday’s hosts, Nice, following last weekend’s convincing 4-0 romp at home over Bordeaux but having lost their last three away matches on the trot, Monaco know they need to buckle down on the road if they’re to challenge for a possible top five finish in this season’s Ligue 1.
The visitors still remain unbeaten at home and three of their four wins to date in this season’s Ligue 1 campaign have been picked up at their Stade Louis II while gaining just the one away win so far this term.
Goals have also featured in the majority of Monaco’s matches this season with six of their nine matches resulting in over 2.5 goals, but it’s Monaco’s vulnerability on the road which could undo their good work at home.
The principality club have lost their last three away matches on the trot and have picked up just two away wins out of their last 10 matches on the road with six of these 10 also going over the 2.5 goals mark but perhaps just as important is the fact that Monaco have kept just two clean sheets in their last 13 away matches.
Goals could therefore feature in this upcoming clash.