Nice vs Saint-Etienne Prediction: Match Preview

Nice: A dramatic fall from Europe to survival danger

Nice’s season has become a major disappointment. After competing in Europe this past campaign and finishing in the top five of Ligue 1 in two of the last three top-flight seasons, Les Aiglons now face the real possibility of relegation.

A defeat on Friday would send Nice into the second tier for the first time this century, underlining how severe their decline has been.

Claude Puel’s side are winless in their last six matches in all competitions and have failed to score in two of their previous three games. That lack of attacking sharpness is a major concern before a one-match survival shootout.

There is still some encouragement at home. Nice went unbeaten in their last three Ligue 1 matches at Allianz Riviera, but they have not won a top-flight home game at the stadium this year.

The head-to-head record gives them more confidence. Nice have won their last three home matches against Saint-Etienne in all competitions, including a 2-1 Coupe de France victory last December.

However, they also arrive after losing the Coupe de France final to Lens, a 3-1 defeat that may have damaged confidence further. Nice must now avoid suffering the same fate as Reims last season, when a cup-final defeat was followed by relegation through the playoffs.

Mohamed-Ali Cho could be important in the final third. He has produced a goal contribution in two of his last three competitive matches against Saint-Etienne, including scoring in an 8-0 victory over Les Verts in 2025.

Saint-Etienne: One match from a top-flight return

Saint-Etienne are within touching distance of returning to Ligue 1 after one season away from the top flight. Philippe Montanier’s side held Nice to a 0-0 draw in the first leg, giving themselves a genuine chance at Allianz Riviera.

The challenge is clear. Saint-Etienne must do something they have not managed in Ligue 2 since February: win away from home.

Les Verts lost their final two away matches in the league and failed to score more than once in any of their last four games. That attacking limitation could be costly in a tie where one goal may decide everything.

Defensively, though, Saint-Etienne are improving at the right time. They have kept three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, drawing 0-0 with Rodez and Nice while also beating Rodez on penalties.

The memory of their 2022 playoff heartbreak will still linger. Their last away playoff match ended 1-1 against Auxerre, before they were relegated after a penalty shootout defeat in the return leg at home.

Saint-Etienne finished just two points behind Le Mans for automatic promotion, but their late-season stumble — losing three of their final four Ligue 2 matches — left them taking the playoff route.

They have won only once at Allianz Riviera this decade, a 1-0 victory in 2021. To return to Ligue 1, they may need another disciplined, low-margin away performance.

Nice vs Saint-Etienne Team News

Nice team news

Nice are expected to lean on Mohamed-Ali Cho in attack, with the forward having a strong recent record against Saint-Etienne.

Cho is likely to start alongside Sofiane Diop and Carlos in the final third, while Jonathan Clauss and Ali Abdi should provide width from wing-back areas.

Morgan Sanson and Hicham Boudaoui are expected to operate in midfield, with Yehvann Diouf starting in goal.

Nice possible starting lineup:

Diouf; Mendy, Bah, Oppong; Clauss, Sanson, Boudaoui, Abdi; Cho, Diop; Carlos

Saint-Etienne team news

Saint-Etienne will be without Paul Eymard, who has a broken foot, while Mahmoud Jaber is recovering from surgery.

Nadir El Jamali is unlikely to feature because of a knee injury, but Florian Tardieu should be available despite a calf issue.

Zuriko Davitashvili was Saint-Etienne’s leading scorer in Ligue 2 with 14 goals, but he has scored only once in his last six competitive appearances.

Lucas Stassin is expected to lead the line, with Davitashvili, Augustine Boakye and Aimen Moueffek supporting from advanced areas.

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:

Larsonneur; Pedro, Le Cardinal, Bernauer, Appiah; Gadegbeku, Kante; Moueffek, Davitashvili, Boakye; Stassin