Nice vs Monaco prediction, H2H and probable lineups – 8 February 2026
As part of Matchday 21 in Ligue 1, Nice and Monaco are set to face off in what promises to be an electrifying encounter. The match is scheduled for Sunday, 8 February, with kick-off at 15:00 Central European Time. I’m backing this game to deliver plenty of goals.
Match preview
Nice have displayed a volatile yet spirited brand of football this season, currently sitting 13th in the Ligue 1 table. The team is gradually pulling itself out of the slump that plagued them early on and has started to collect points with more consistency.
Claude Puel has managed to find the right balance and unite his squad, with improved results quickly following. Now that they are out of the Europa League, Nice can focus their efforts on domestic competition and try to reclaim lost ground.
Nice alternate between high-scoring matches and tighter affairs where goals are scarce, but the team's desire to play attacking football and create chances down the flanks is evident. At home, Nice typically play aggressively and look to dictate the tempo, though they seldom keep a clean sheet.
Defensive frailties remain a major concern—only Metz, who sit bottom of the table, have conceded more goals. On a brighter note, Nice’s thrilling comeback in the Coupe de France round of 16 against Montpellier stands out. Trailing by two, Nice turned the game on its head to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Monaco head into this match as one of Ligue 1’s most prolific attacking outfits. Under Pokognoli, they’ve showcased confident, forward-thinking football and sit above Nice in the standings, steadily picking up points and fighting for the top spots.
However, consistency has eluded them this season, as reflected by their negative goal difference and current 10th-place position. Still, they’re only four points off the top six, so the race for European spots is wide open.
Despite their potent frontline, Monaco’s defense is prone to lapses, especially against teams that press aggressively and transition quickly. This leads to open, end-to-end matches where opponents frequently exploit space behind Monaco’s backline and find the net.
This trend was evident in their recent Coupe de France clash with Strasbourg, where Monaco gave up too much space and were deservedly beaten 1-3, crashing out of the competition.
Match facts
- Nice are unbeaten in their last five home matches.
- Monaco have won just one of their last six games.
- Nice average 1.4 goals per game at home, while Monaco average 1.2 goals per game away.
Probable lineups
- Nice: Dupé, Clauss, Dante, Peprah, Abdi, Vanhoutte, Abdul Samed, Diop, Sanson, Cho, Wahi.
- Monaco: Kean, Kehrer, Zakaria, Teze, Ouattara, Diatta, Koulibaly, Camara, Akliouche, Biereth, Balogun.
H2H
Both teams have found the net in each of their last four head-to-head meetings.
Prediction
Given the attacking firepower on display from both sides in the 2025/26 season, along with their tendency for open football and defensive vulnerabilities, backing the over 2.5 goals market looks like a smart play. My tip: total goals over 2.5.
