These two points lost could hurt Nice hard! PSG have a chance to take over

Surprise Ligue 1 leaders Nice missed out on the chance to move four points clear of second-placed Paris Saint-Germain after being held to a 0-0 draw by Montpellier. The table-toppers have now gone 10 hours without conceding a goal but were particularly blunt at the other end of the field.

Indeed, given the visitors had kept six consecutive clean sheets prior to kick off, while also netting only 13 times this season, it came as no surprise that a tight game yielded few chances early on. Jordan Ferri snatched at one for La Paillade, clattering over from long range before Akor Adams left the woodwork rattling with a thunderous effort after a mazy run.

Michel Der Zakarian’s side were on top, but they should have been made to pay for their missed opportunities as Badredine Bouanani curled wide from inside the box at the other end, before Falaye Sacko made a crucial block from Terem Moffi’s goalbound strike. Les Aiglons then looked to seize the initiative after the break, but their finishing remained wayward as evidenced by Khéphren Thuram hooking over the bar and ripping his shirt off in anger.

After that let-off, Montpellier hit the post for a second time through Adams’ towering header, before the forward took aim from 20 yards and forced a comfortable enough save out of Marcin Bułka. Francesco Farioli made a trio of attacking substitutions as the league leaders went in search of victory, and one of them, Gaëtan Laborde, found the side netting with a fizzing low strike.

Both teams were proving goal-shy though, and in the end, they had to settle for a point apiece. As a result, La Paillade have only won two of their last nine outings, while Nice remain unbeaten since Farioli took the reins in the summer, going two points clear in first place.

LIGUE 1 - MATCHDAY 12

Friday

Montpellier - Nice 0-0

Saturday

19.00: (5.80) Reims (4.10) PSG (1.65)

23.00: (5.00) Le Havre (3.70) Monaco (1.80)

Sunday

17.00: (2.25) Clermont (3.45) Lorient (3.45)

17.00: (2.95) Metz (3.40) Nantes (2.55)

17.00: (1.60) Lille (3.90) Toulouse (5.80)

19.05: (1.75) Rennes (3.60) Olympique Lyon (4.90)

22.45: (2.40) Lens (3.50) Olympique Marseille (3.10)

***odds are subject to change