Following an exciting fourth round of Ligue 1 fixtures, and then the international break, teams will come back refreshed and raring to go in their plight for domestic success. Furthermore, we have also seen the end of the transfer window with plenty of late transfer activity before the window shut, so we will get to see many players in action for the first time in what should be an interesting weekend of football.This Saturday is booked for some very entertaining clashes in the Ligue 1 campaign, especially the matchup in which Nice will host the marvelous Monaco side, who will still be in ecstasy after their excellent 6:1 win against Marseille in their last match. Will the host be able to slow down the mighty visitors, or will they suffer yet another blow to their Ligue 1 campaign? Read on to find out more details on this matchup and get some free betting picks!!!
Nice vs. Monaco
Three-Way: 1: Nice +375; X: +290 Draw; 2: Monaco -108
Spread +0.5: Nice +106; Monaco -111
Total +2.5: Over -118; Under +137
NICE
Nice continued a disastrous start to their league campaign with a 3:0 loss to newly promoted Amiens SC, despite the fact that they controlled the possession of the ball for more than 65% of the time, a similar situation to their 1:2 home loss to Troyes in Round 2.
Nothing could have been done to stop Amiens’s Gael Kakuta scoring a beautifully executed free kick to make it 1:0, although better marking may have stopped Amiens’s second goal, scored just before half-time. Nice didn’t get even a sniff at goal in the first half, and although a few chances came in the second, they were unable to truly test the keeper. Eventually, Amiens added a third and the game was put beyond doubt.
Nice seems to be stuck in a rut, and the same problems are still arising in each game. Furthermore, they have now lost five of their last six games and three of their four league games, meaning that their Champions League spot defense is already in jeopardy. It’s difficult to see where the Nice team go from here and anything but a disappointing season seems unlikely at this point for Les Aiglons.
Nice has made two late deals in the transfer window, signing left-back Racine Coly from Brescia for 3.5 million euros and defensive midfielder Nampalys Mendy from Leicester on loan, but it remains to be seen if these late additions can help Nice to dig themselves out of the sinking hole. Knowing that they will face on of the best teams in the Ligue 1 on Saturday, the fans will not have many reasons to be optimistic about.
Manager Lucien Favre will be without Wylian Cyprien through a Cruciate Ligament Rupture but will otherwise have a full squad.
MONACO
The 2016/2017 season Ligue 1 champion has started the new season in similar fashion to the last one, playing in a recognizable offensive-minded style that brought the domestic silverware and led them all the way to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
An exquisite performance and a 6:1 thrashing of Marseille saw Monaco carry on their perfect start to their season. For the first goal, Kamil Glik scored from a set-piece delivery once again, although this time with his foot on the volley rather than one of his signature headed goals. Radamel Falcao then scored twice with a penalty and a reaction header to make it seven league goals in four for the Colombian. Following the third, just before half-time, a piece of excellent dribbling and pass from Rony Lopes meant that teammate Adama Diakhaby only had to stick a foot out to score and add a fourth. The fifth came as Djibril Sidibe converted a rebound after Glik’s header was denied by the post. Despite an already defeated Marseille side, they did score a consolation through Remy Cabella, but the five-goal lead was restored from another penalty converted by Fabinho.
The performance and result will be very pleasing for manager Leonardo Jardim, especially against a side who were unbeaten and looked very strong until their fixture. Despite the crushing scoreline, Monaco didn’t create too many other chances, but when you score six you have to say that they were extremely clinical and that is certainly a positive. The win will also be especially pleasing for Jardim when you consider the players they have lost, and they don’t seem to be missed.
As expected over the transfer window, Monaco lost starlet Kylian Mbappé to PSG and also forward Lacina Traoré was sent on loan to Amiens. Two major additions were made in attacker Stevan Jovetic from Inter Milan for 11 million euros and winger Keita Baldé from Lazio for 30 million euros.
Leonardo Jardim will be without keeper Loic Badiashile through an ongoing shoulder injury, but will otherwise have a fully fit squad.
Nice vs. Monaco – MATCH PREDICTION
In many aspects, this is a very similar matchup to the Metz vs. Paris SG game, with Nice performing way below expectations while Monaco is flying high. I still believe that Nice has too much quality to stay in such poor form and eventually they will start performing much better. However, until then they are most likely going to struggle to win points, especially against teams like Monaco.
On the other side, this Monaco team will continue their strong performances as they will, besides Nice, face Strasbourg, Lille, and Montpellier in the month of September, all teams ranking in the lower part of the table. If they manage to pull wins in these 4 matchups, I am sure that they will set themselves on the very top of the table. An important role will play their form in the UEFA Champions league competition, where they will go against teams like RB Leipzig, Porto and Besiktas.
Anyways, many options are available to place your bets on, but probably the safest one is to go simply with the visiting team to record a win at the Allianz Rivera on Saturday. This could also be a lower scoring game, knowing that Monaco will start their Champions League campaign next week, so it is somewhat expected to see them come out with more caution.
MY PICK: Monaco to WIN (-108)
