Nice vs Angers: Prediction and Match Preview

April 20, 2025. 18:15. Nice. Allianz Riviera Stadium
Ligue 1, Matchday 30

Injuries: Shon, Ndombélé - Biouma, Belkebla, Capelle, Dieng, Sheriff

Nice will attempt to get back to winning ways when they host Angers at the Allianz Riviera in Matchday 30 of Ligue 1 this Sunday. The hosts are in desperate need of points in their fight for European competition spots. The visitors are locked in a fierce battle for survival and are teetering on the edge of the relegation zone.

Nice

"I told my bench that we would equalize because I believe we deserved it. I strongly believed that. I knew it was our final chance, and I was just happy that the guys achieved it," commented Eze after the draw against Strasbourg in the last round. This draw keeps Nice just three points away from the Champions League spots. However, the recent performances of the team overall are unlikely to please the Eagles' coach, as his charges have slipped down to seventh place, which at best will only secure a spot in the Conference League.

Just a month ago, Nice was considered one of the favorites not only to finish in the top four but even the top three, which guarantees a direct route to the Champions League. This was bolstered by a run of four consecutive wins and six without defeat. However, since the Eagles lost to Lyon in early March, things have gone awry. That was indeed their first defeat at the Allianz Riviera all season, but since then they have failed to beat both Auxerre and Nantes here. In fact, they even lost to the latter. A derby defeat to Monaco and a draw with Strasbourg have extended Nice's winless streak to five matches, marking their worst stretch of the season.

Nonetheless, Nice still has a chance to rectify the situation. Over the next five rounds, the Eagles will only face one leader in PSG. Furthermore, at home, aside from Angers, they are set to face another relegation battler in Reims. A potentially decisive match in their hunt for European football could be the final round encounter against Brest, also at home. To navigate this final stretch effectively, Nice must improve their defensive play, as they have conceded two goals in four of their last five matches. This is generally uncharacteristic of Eze's team, as only four teams in Ligue 1 have conceded more than they have. Angers appears to be a good opponent to get back on track, as even away, where Nice looks far less formidable, the Eagles triumphed over this opponent 4-1.

Angers

Angers secured a crucial three points in their battle for survival in the last round. Lepole finally ended his goal drought that had lasted since January, scoring a brace against Montpellier. This is actually his favorite opponent, having netted four out of his seven goals this season against the helpless relegation battler. This victory ended a streak of five consecutive defeats and improved the chances for the Black and Whites to survive. The last time they participated in Ligue 1, Angers finished hopelessly in last place, but now they are fighting and enjoy a three-point advantage over the relegation playoff zone and seven points above the direct drop zone.

However, the end of the season promises to be very challenging for Angers. The two goals against Montpellier were their first in the league since early March, as all five previous losses were without scoring. In fact, only Montpellier has scored fewer goals than the Black and Whites this season. The next five rounds present tough tests for Dujon's men. Only one match will be against a direct rival - Nantes. In the remaining four, they will face opponents highly motivated in their bid for European spots. Besides Nice, they will meet Lille, Strasbourg, and Lyon, and every point in these matches could prove invaluable for Dujon's squad.

Interestingly, away games have earned Angers more points this season than home ones. The two consecutive defeats to Brest and PSG in March and April marked their first such cases on the road this season. In contrast, since the beginning of autumn, they had victories over Monaco, Le Havre, Montpellier, and Reims. However, in recent months, they have managed to collect only four points - alongside the win over the Red and Whites, they also salvaged a draw with Saint-Étienne, coming back in the closing minutes to level 3-3. Angers kept a clean sheet in their last match for the first time in six games, but playing two consecutive matches without conceding for the first time since 2021 will be difficult, as Nice scores practically in every home match. Nonetheless, in their last visit to the Allianz Riviera, the Black and Whites left victorious in 2022 and now will hope for an upset against a team not in the best of forms.

Nice - Angers: Projected Line-ups

Shon and Ndombélé will miss out for Nice due to injuries. Angers will have to do without the injured Biouma, Belkebla, Capelle, Dieng, and Sheriff.

Nice - Angers: Author's Prediction

Angers find it extremely hard to score, and even if the visitors manage to find the net, it is unlikely they will withstand Nice, for whom this match presents an opportunity to regain their momentum in the fight for European football.