MX23RW : Thursday, March 4 15:15:09| >> :120:57325:57325:
Feb 7, 2021 at 2pm UK at Stade Municipal du Ray
NiceNice
3-0
AngersAngers
Doumbia (9' og.), Maolida (17'), Gouiri (83')
Todibo (15'), Gouiri (36')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Amadou (33')

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

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Nice and Angers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Nice entertain Angers in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the hosts looking to bounce back after two consecutive defeats.

Angers, meanwhile, are flying high in eighth position in the table.


Match preview

Nice defender William Saliba pictured on January 17, 2021© Reuters

Having sacked Patrick Vieira in December, Adrian Ursea has failed to have the impact Nice would have been hoping for, with last season's fifth-placed outfit sliding to 14th in the table after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Monaco.

In fairness, while losing a Derby de la Cote d'Azur is always painful, there is no disgrace in losing to Monaco at present, with Ben Yedder's brace helping his side to their sixth consecutive league win.

Pierre Lees Melou had levelled proceedings two minutes after the half-time interval, with Nice controlling possession for much of the game but struggling to break down their South of France rivals.

If they can perform as well against Angers, there is every chance Ursea's side will gain a huge three points.

Angers manager Stephane Moulin pictured in January 2021© Reuters

Angers, meanwhile, are performing above expectations once again, to the extent that Wednesday's 0-0 draw at Reims may have been considered a disappointing result in the eyes of Stephane Moulin.

In truth it was a drab affair, with both sides mustering only two shots on target each across the 90 minutes.

However, clean sheets have been at a premium for Moulin's side this season, with Wednesday's their first since a 0-0 draw at Saint Etienne in December.

Given that they are only five points behind fifth-placed Rennes, Angers remain in the hunt for European football, but in truth a top-half finish would be a solid achievement for a club of their size and ambition. Another clean sheet at Nice on Sunday would be a good return, too.

Nice Ligue 1 form: LDLWLL

Angers Ligue 1 form: WLLLWD


Team News

Nice's Pierre Lees-Melou celebrates with teammates after scoring against AS Monaco on November 8, 2020© Reuters

Nice are likely to be without Youcef Atal and Danilo Barbosa due to thigh injuries, while Dante and Jeff Reine-Adelaide are out for the season with serious knee issues.

Ursea is likely to go with the same XI which was unfortunate to lose against Monaco.

Angers will travel to Nice without Angelo Fulgini, Stephane Bahoken, Rachid Alioui and Enzo Ebosse due to injury.

Sofiane Boufal could start to help provide more creativity having returned from injury from the substitutes' bench at Reims.

Nice possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Lotomba, Todibo, Saliba, Kamara; Schneiderlin, Claude Marice, Lees-Melou; Ndoye, Dolberg, Gouiri

Angers possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Bamba, Pavlovic, Thomas, Doumbia; Mangani, Coulibaly; Boufal, Capelle, Thioub; Diony


SM words green background

We say: Nice 1-1 Angers

Nice have won only two of their 11 home games this season, so Angers will fancy their chances of gaining a positive result.

The two sides are pretty evenly matched, though, with a draw the most likely outcome and one which both managers would not be too disappointed with.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:433847:cQx:QQ:

How you voted: Nice vs Angers

Nice
52.3%
Draw
25.0%
Angers
22.7%
44
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Paris Saint-Germain PSG head coach Mauricio Pochettino pictured on January 9, 2021
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Lille28188249173262
2Paris Saint-GermainPSG28193662174560
3Lyon28178356253159
4MonacoMonaco28174756381855
5Lens2812884239344
6Metz2811893327641
7Montpellier HSCMontpellier28117104447-340
8Marseille2710983432239
9Angers28116113342-939
10Rennes2710893331238
11Nice28105133540-535
12Reims28810103435-134
13Brest28104144250-834
14StrasbourgStrasbourg2896133641-533
15Bordeaux2896132834-633
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne2879122942-1330
17Lorient2876153452-1827
18Nimes2874172754-2725
19NantesNantes28412122844-1624
20Dijon2829171947-2815

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