Nice vs PSG
France Ligue 1
Date: Sunday, 30th April 2017
Kick off at 20:00 UK / 21:00 CET
Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice.
Match facts
Nice are unbeaten at home this season, winning 13 and drawing four of their 17 games so far.
Nice are unbeaten in their last 11 games since losing to league leaders Monaco at the start of February. A 1-1 draw at Toulouse last time out saw them lose ground on the league leaders, but they won three in a row prior to that game, including a 3-1 defeat of Nancy in their most recent home game.
Mario Balotelli remains a divisive figure, but his 15 goals this season are a reminder of what he can do on his day.
Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 thrashing of Monaco in the Coupe de France semi-finals was their ninth consecutive win in all competitions since their incredible 6-1 Champions League defeat in Barcelona.
Unai Emery’s team have kept clean sheets in five of their last six matches too, with their last away win - 3-2 in Metz - the only game in which they have conceded in that time.
Edinson Cavani double against Monaco took him to a sensational 45 goals for the season.
PREVIEW
Unai Emery believes Paris St Germain have the quality to end Nice's unbeaten home record and keep up the pressure on Ligue 1 leaders Monaco.
In-form PSG have won eight successive league matches but they could be three points off top spot when they arrive at a sold-out Allianz Riviera, if Monaco beat Toulouse on Saturday.
Third-placed Nice have made their home ground a fortress this season, winning 13 and drawing four in front of their own supporters to leave themselves six points behind the top two ahead of the weekend fixtures.
PSG boss Emery knows his side will have to be at their best to secure three points on the south coast on Sunday evening.
``Tomorrow will be a great game, against a team that has shown great things and has a great season,'' he told PSG's official website.
``We are six points ahead of Nice but they are unbeaten at home and have lost only two matches in 2017.
``For us it is a big challenge, facing a motivated team who will want to beat us.
``But all my players are ready, they are aware of the importance of this meeting and we will want to give everything on the pitch.''
The Parisians booked their place in the final of the Coupe de France in midweek, thrashing a much-changed Monaco side 5-0 at the Parc des Princes.
Emery's men face a much more difficult task to overcome the principality club in the title race but, at this stage, the Spaniard insists he is only focusing on his own club.
``We need victory tomorrow,'' he added.
``Winning the championship is our goal, Monaco is in front but we think only of ourselves, we only think to win all the matches we have to dispute.
``I am optimistic, especially when I see the work provided by my players.''
Nice midfielder Vincent Koziello has not given up on his side's slim title hopes but admits it will be a big ask to rein in the top two.
Lucien Favre's team are 11 games unbeaten ahead of the clash with the defending champions, although last weekend's draw at Toulouse further reduced their chances of finishing the season on top.
Koziello, 21, who has scored once in 29 appearances this season, believes there is more pressure on the opposition this weekend.
``They will be vying to win because if they don't, they lose the title,'' he told ogcnice.com. ``That adds a bit extra in the build-up.
``That being said, I have seen that, during the week, Mario (Nice striker Balotelli) said that the party needs to be for Nice and not for Paris - that's also how I feel.
``If we don't manage to beat them, it (Nice's title challenge) will be over.
``Even in beating them, they would need to stumble on two occasions in the last three games and we would need to win all of ours.
``It seems to be rather tricky, but we need to give our all. And then, if we have a nice surprise at the end of the season, we will all be happy.''
Nice vs PSG: Head to Head Stats
Nice have not win this fixture since 2012 and PSG have been able to come here and win the last 3 games. Since 2010 home or away over 13 games Nice has just 1 win. The last 4 games have seen 16 goals.
Nice vs PSG: Prediction
Nice have the team to cause a surprise, but PSG have been superb and focused it’s difficult to look past them in what could become a heated game.
Nice vs PSG: Betting Tips
PSG to beat Nice at 4/7
Red Card (Sending off in match) at 3/1
Anytime goal scorer: Julian Draxler (PSG) at 8/5.
