Preview: Nice vs. Troyes - prediction, team news, lineups

Nice head into Sunday's Ligue 1 encounter against Troyes aware that they desperately require three points to stay in the hunt for the European places.

At a time when the home team have recently dropped down to sixth position in the standings, Troyes are in 16th spot, just two points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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There was a time not so long ago when Nice looked near certainties to secure European football next season, even in the Champions League having been competing for second position.

However, a return of just 12 points from 11 matches has changed that perception, and Christophe Galtier's team are now in a battle to avoid missing out on continental action altogether.

On a positive note, the level of opponent will now get significantly easier, in theory, although Galtier knows that he has a job to do to lift the spirits within the camp.

The home form of Les Aiglons has been in sharp contrast to their efforts on their travels, with 13 points being collected from a possible 18 since the middle of January.

Andy Delort, who now has 10 goals for the campaign, is the only Nice player to find the back of the net in their last four fixtures.

Nice are not the only team under intense pressure ahead of this contest with Troyes having recently dropped back into a battle for survival in the top flight.

Having collected 11 points from a possible 15, Troyes have since gone three games without success, the latest defeat coming at home to a Clermont outfit who now sit just one point below them in the table.

The biggest worry for Bruno Irles is that the club's next four fixtures are all against team occupying places in the top nine, a run which includes a trip to Paris Saint-Germain.

Although you have to go all the way back to February 20 for the last time that Troyes lost by more than one goal, Irles knows that ESTAC face an uphill task to remain in the first tier of French football.

Team News

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Galtier is likely to freshen up his Nice XI for this contest as he bids to rediscover a consistent winning formula.

Justin Kluivert should return on the left flank, while Amine Gouiri will expect an immediate recall in attack to resume his partnership with Delort.

Changes in defence are less likely, although Dante is now available again after serving a two-match suspension.

Irles will be forced into at least one alteration to his Troyes starting lineup with Issa Kabore having collected his fifth yellow card last time out.

With potential replacement Mama Balde being sent off against Clermont, Giulian Biancone may have to deputise on the right-hand side of defence.

The rest of the first XI could stay the same with Troyes only losing out in that game courtesy of an 88th-minute goal.

Nice possible starting lineup:

Benitez; Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Amavi; Boudaoui, Lemina, Thuram-Ulien, Kluivert; Delort, Gouiri

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Moulin; Binacone, Palmer-Brown, Rami, Kone, Conte; Mothiba, Chavalerin, Tardieu, Ripart; Ugbo

We say: Nice 2-0 Troyes

On paper, this should be a routine three points for Nice, but there can certainly be no guarantees given their recent results. However, we expect Troyes to sit back against their more illustrious hosts, a tactic which may only invite pressure and give Nice a much-needed upper hand.