As Ligue 1 action resumes, Nice and Marseille gear up for a thrilling face-off at the Allianz Riviera on Saturday. All eyes will be on Terem Moffi and his Nice squad. A victory could propel them past leaders Monaco, offering a golden chance to cement their position at the Ligue 1 Uber Eats summit. 

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Marseille, fresh off a convincing 3-0 win against Le Havre, are on a mission to disrupt Nice's unbeaten start and secure a spot in the top three. However, history seems to favor Marseille, boasting 58 victories in their previous 109 top-flight clashes with Nice. Yet, Nice's coach Francesco Farioli remains undeterred, emphasizing the team's focus on current challenges rather than past records.

Tensions are high outside the pitch as well. Olympique de Marseille fans will be notably absent during the clash due to national security concerns. Current events, including the Israel-Gaza conflict and the recent assassination of a teacher, have led to a heightened state of alert. As a result, security forces will be preoccupied with nationwide protests, prompting the decision to exclude OM's fans from the Allianz Riviera.

Nice's formidability this season is evident, boasting five clean sheets, the highest in Europe's top leagues. Farioli lauds his squad's dedication and recognizes the threat posed by a Marseille side rejuvenated by additions like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. The former Arsenal star has already made his mark, scoring in their latest victory against Le Havre.

On the flip side, Marseille's journey this season has been rocky. Despite their star-studded roster, their performance has been inconsistent. Recent defeats to heavyweights Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco precipitated a coaching shift, with Gennaro Gattuso replacing Marcelino. Gattuso’s new training regimen, more physically intensive, marks a distinct change in approach, emphasizing their determination to reclaim glory.

As the match draws near, both teams are gearing up for the showdown. Probable line-ups suggest a fierce contest:

Nice: Bulka; Lotomba, Todibo, Dante, Bard; Sanson, Ndayishimiye, Boudaoui; Laborde, Moffi, Boga

OM: Lopez; Clauss, Gigot, Mbemba, Lodi; Ounahi, Rongier, Harit; Ndiaye, Aubameyang, Sarr.