Kick-off: Friday, 21:00

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Having kept eight clean sheets in their first 11 matches and having conceded just four goals, breaking down Nice's defence is a daunting task for any team. Francesco Farioli is central to the Riviera club's defensive success, building on the defensive foundations laid by the managers that preceded him.

"When we arrived, we found a team that was ready in the defensive domain. I know that the will not to concede is really in their DNA. But if we're conceding so few goals, it is because of the work that we're carrying out," said Farioli ahead of the match. However, there are also individual success stories within this run, 

Ndayishimiye absent

Despite celebrating his 40th birthday in October, Dante is currently displaying some of his best form. His leadership qualities are integral to this youthful side, but to reduce his role to simply being a leader would be unfair on Dante, who is, on current form, one of the top centre-backs in the league. Jean-Clair Todibo, meanwhile, is not only asserting himself at club level, but at international level too. Having earned his first cap with Les Bleus earlier this season, he is going from strength to strength. 

However, there will be one major absence on Friday - Youssouf Ndayishmiye. The Burundi international has become so integral at Nice since his arrival last January, however, he will miss the encounter against Montpellier after being sent off against Rennes. 

"From the first minute after the win against Rennes, we started to think about how to manage this situation. Youssouf has thus far played every minute and his absence is a blow for us," admitted Farioli. 

Seeing Khéphren Thuram, who is often deployed in a box-to-box role, utilised as a defensive midfielder, is a definite option. Either way, Farioli will have to find a new balance to his team and Ndayishimiye's suspension is a fresh test for Farioli and Nice.

Compatriots' contrasting form

Offensively, Nice are improving. However, Terem Moffi is yet to rediscover his goalscoring touch and hasn't found the back of the net since scoring a brace against PSG in September. His dip is in stark contrast to the form of compatriot Akor Adams, who has scored seven goals in Ligue 1 Uber Eats since his arrival at Montpellier this summer. Only Kylian Mbappé has scored more. 

Despite a 3-0 defeat against PSG at the Parc des Princes, Montpellier's performance garnered high praise from Luis Enrique. "They are a team that I liked a lot. They have some quality players," said the Spaniard in his post-match press conference. 

Michel Der Zakarian will be hoping that his side's best qualities will be on show when Nice visit the Stade de la Mosson on Friday night as they look to knock Les Aiglons off their perch. 

Possible teams

Montpellier: Lecomte; Sylla, Estève, Kouyaté, Sacko; Ferri, Chotard; Fayad, Savanier, Al-Tamaari; Adams

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

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