OGC Nice vs AS Monaco Prediction: A Tactical Battle to Secure Ligue 1’s Top Spots

OGC Nice will welcome its most important Ligue 1 derby, AS Monaco, to Allianz Riviera on October 27, 2024. Both teams come into this duel on different trajectories but with stakes just as high: Nice is looking for consistency after draws in recent matches, while Monaco would like to further stretch an impressive unbeaten run and keep its second position intact. This is a promise of an exciting tactical game wherein both teams will use their strengths to fullest advantage and try capitalizing on the weaknesses of the other team.

OGC Nice has had a thus far indifferent season, managed only a mid-table position as recent form was marked by draws and an inability to win any of their last five matches. Despite that, Nice has been good defensively at home and, through goalkeeper Marcin Bulka, has been pivotal. Manager Franck Haise commands a disciplined defense, and Nice will try to maintain their compact shape to exploit counter-attacks.

OGC Nice will likely be more cautious, focused on sound defending while building gradually through the middle of the field. They will look to Hicham Boudaoui to make something out of the creative aspect, trying to transition with forward players like Evann Guessand and Jeremie Boga. Nice's tactic will center around countering Monaco's press and finding a way to exploit the spaces on the counter, especially given Monaco's tendency to open up spaces when committing forward.

On the other hand, AS Monaco are in fine fettle. The team is second in Ligue 1 and has gone twelve league outings unbeaten. Strong in their attacking flair, Monaco holds key players such as Takumi Minamino, who has been in outstanding form with consecutive goals in several league matches. Adi Hütter's men have been very good at high pressing and creating chances, maintaining an average of more than two goals per game.

Monaco, under Adi Hütter, are expected to be aggressive in possession. Monaco line up conventionally in a 3-4-3, supporting width through Vanderson and Caio Henrique as wing-backs and assisted by midfield anchors Denis Zakaria and Lamine Camara. Of course, with clinical finishing from Breel Embolo and the playmaking ability of Takumi Minamino, Monaco will likely maintain its focus on disrupting Nice's backline with quick, incisive passes and high press.

For this season's recent encounters, Monaco has had a slight advantage with three wins in the last five matches against Nice, and one of those wins came away from home by 3-2 in February 2024. Form this season in such derbies suggests that Monaco often manages to keep their attacking flow going even on foreign soil. Nice have managed to pull off two recent wins over Monaco to show them that they are capable of responding to these intense pressure derbies. Given how well the teams know each other, this might make for a tight, tactical contest.

This is a battle of contrasts. The quality in Monaco's attacking and possessiveness in midfield might easily give Nice a headache, while the disciplined shape and the home ground advantage make them hard to break down. Nice hasn't tasted victory in a while now, owing largely to inconsistency in offense, while Monaco have been phenomenal upfront, thanks partly to the services of Ben Yedder and Folarin Balogun.

After Monaco's recent setback against a lower-tier side in the Coupe de France, a psychological element may also creep in to probably affect their confidence in finding their way through a solid Nice backline.

• Away Win/Draw & Over 1.5 Goals @ 1.72 Odds
• Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.76 Odds
• GG (yes) @ 1.66 Odds