Preview: Nice vs. Monaco

Monaco can get back to winning ways in Ligue 1 on Friday when they make the trip to Nice.

Leonardo Jardim's side, who currently sit in fifth place in the table, were beaten 1-0 by Guingamp in their last league match on February 8.

However, they could leapfrog Saint-Etienne in fourth position and move to within eight points of leaders Lyon should they beat a stuttering Nice team.

Nice have slipped down to ninth place in the standings in recent weeks by following up three consecutive victories with three consecutive draws.

Despite seeing their campaign veer off course so far in 2015, Claude Puel's men will put themselves back in the hunt for European football if they see off Monaco.

The hosts will also be encouraged by the fact that they defeated their opponents 1-0 at the Stade Louis II in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.

Joao Moutinho, Ricardo Carvalho and Andrea Raggi are doubtful for Monaco, while Mathieu Bodmer and Didier Digard are expected to miss out for Nice. The home side will also be without the suspended Eric Bautheac.

Nice:

Form in Ligue 1: WWWDDD

Possible starting lineup: Hassen; Palun, Genevois, Diawara, Amavi; Mendy, Rafetraniaina; Eysseric, Carlos Eduardo, Hult; Plea

Monaco:

Form in Ligue 1: WDWWDL

Possible starting lineup: Subasic; Fabinho, Wallace, Abdennour, Kurzawa; Bernardo Silva, Toulalan, Kondogbia; Dirar, Berbatov, Ferreira Carrasco

Sports Mole says: 1-2