PSG must beat OGC Nice to stay in the title race
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After what has been a hard fought season from OGC Nice, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco, it is the latter side that are on track to clinch the Ligue 1 title this season. As things stand, all three sides are still in the running, but time is running out for PSG and Nice to secure a late comeback, with just three games left to play for the two title-chasing sides.
One of those games will see the two teams play against each other, with PSG set to travel to Nice’s Allianz Riviera home in what is a must-win match for both. The game will be played late on Sunday evening, with kick-off set for 8pm BST.
For Nice, a defeat would put them nine points behind Monaco, who also have a game in hand, so long as Leonardo Jardim’s side don’t fall to a shock defeat against Toulouse. They would then need Monaco to lose all four of their remaining matches to be in with a chance, which is largely unlikely.
While Nice’s title race will require a miracle at this point, PSG are in a much better position to challenge Monaco over the final month of the season. The two clubs are currently level on points, but Monaco will pull three ahead if they win their game in hand.
With two easy home games against SC Bastia and SM Caen to come, as well as a straightforward trip to Saint-Etienne, Unai Emery will be confident that his squad will take nine points from nine in their final three games. However, Nice will put up a much tougher fight this weekend.
The shock title-contenders held PSG to a 2-2 draw at the Parc des Princes in December and produced an incredible 4-0 win over Monaco at the start of the season. They have thrived in the big games this term and will be looking to keep their chances alive for as long as possible.
Mario Balotelli has returned to form, scoring four and assisting one in his last five appearances, which will be music to Lucien Favre’s ears, as they look to get back to winning ways. However, the Italian, who has scored 13 goals in 20 Ligue 1 appearances, will be no match for the free-scoring Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker has 31 goals from 32 appearances and rarely goes a game without scoring. Given Nice have conceded in each of their last six appearances, he will be confident of getting his name on the scoresheet.
It’s certainly set to be a tough weekend for both sides. For Monaco this fixture couldn’t have come at a better time, with at least one of their title rivals guaranteed to drop points this weekend. They will be hoping that Nice emerge victorious, but with the experience to back up their title run, PSG are favourites to get the job done.
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