OGC Nice’s Ligue 1 record this season is well-balanced. They began with a 2-1 loss to Auxerre, followed by a 1-1 draw against Toulouse. The team secured their first win with a dominant 4-1 victory over Angers but then suffered a 2-0 defeat to Marseille. Nice bounced back impressively with an 8-0 thrashing of Saint-Étienne.
After five matchdays, Nice sits in 7th place, just one point behind Reims and Nantes. Notably, Marseille remains the only team to prevent Nice from scoring, as the Southern French side has netted in all their other matches.
However, Nice faces a challenge in their upcoming Europa League clash against Real Sociedad due to injuries to key players: Hicham Boudaoui, Morgan Sanson, Terem Moffi, and Gaëtan Laborde.
Despite these setbacks, Nice can remain optimistic, with new signings Jonathan Clauss, Tanguy Ndombele, and Youssoufa Moukoko becoming essential to the team’s core.
Considering their opponents’ form, Nice has reason to fight for all three points against their Spanish rivals.
Real Sociedad’s situation contrasts sharply with Nice’s. Head coach Imanol Alguacil has faced increasing pressure following a disappointing 2023/24 campaign, and the start of the new season has done little to ease concerns.
After seven matches, Real Sociedad has managed just one win, a lacklustre 1-0 victory over Espanyol. The team’s losses have come against Rayo Vallecano (2-1), Deportivo Alavés (2-1), Real Madrid (0-2), and Mallorca (1-0), with draws against Getafe (0-0) and Real Valladolid further highlighting their struggles.
La Real’s form is certainly concerning because both drawn matches were against relegation-threatened sides.
While the club retained midfielder Martin Zubimendi, they lost Mikel Merino to Arsenal. His absence was particularly felt in the 0-1 defeat against Mallorca, where the team struggled to link the midfield with the attack. Injury problems have also compounded their issues.
Alguacil will be without Hamari Traoré, Álvaro Odriozola, and Arsen Zakharyan, with Zakharyan’s injury being a particularly hard blow, as the young midfielder had started to deliver strong performances. These absences have hindered La Real’s offensive capabilities in recent weeks.
As the team sits 16th in La Liga, Alguacil must focus on improving both their domestic and European performances, especially ahead of the clash with Nice.
Bet hereReal Sociedad often dominates matches but struggles to convert opportunities into goals, a recurring issue over the past four years. This inefficiency was painfully evident in their recent loss to Mallorca, where a single penalty decided the game.
In contrast, Nice will aim to apply pressure and exploit Real Sociedad’s vulnerabilities throughout the full 90 minutes. The match marks a return to France for Momo Cho, who left after a difficult spell under Imanol Alguacil.
Youssoufa Moukoko, currently in form, is expected to be a key threat, while Tanguy Ndombele and Jonathan Clauss will dictate the tempo from deeper positions, adding further challenges for the Basque visitors.
Given Real Sociedad’s low confidence and Nice’s recent 8-0 victory, it’s reasonable to expect Nice to secure all three points.
This type of fixture can be unpredictable, as teams often show different performances in European competitions compared to their domestic form. However, it’s unlikely that Nice will rotate their squad while it is uncertain whether Imanol Alguacil will prioritize catching up in La Liga over competing in Europe.
Real Sociedad has struggled with a lack of intensity, which explains their inability to effectively connect the midfield to the attack. The team’s poor finishing in the final third has further limited their offensive threat.
Meanwhile, Nice boasts an array of talent in both attack and midfield, which could overwhelm Real Sociedad’s defence. Their depth, especially in these key areas, gives them a clear advantage.
Nice boasts a psychological advantage, having just won 8-0 and an in-form Moukoko, who could go on to become a decider in the tie while Real Sociedad struggles to find the net
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