Soccer France Ligue 1 Prediction

Brest vs Nantes - Match Preview

⚽ 3 May 2023 - 19:00 GMT +0

Following the last round where none of the bottom-seven sides in Ligue 1 picked up a win, Brest and Nantes remained at the wrong end of a four-team glut of sides separated by just one point, and all of which are trying to avoid the final relegation place. Even so, things are looking up for Brest as boss Éric Roy has already overseen two five-game unbeaten league runs, including one ahead of this match to put them on the brink of safety (W2, D3).

A Stade Francis-Le Blé return can only be seen as another positive for Brest, who have won as many home league games across their last two matches here (W2), as they did in the opening 13 (W2, D5, L6). But in order to continue in that vein, Brest must notch a first home league win over the Canaries since the turn of the century (D2, L3).

Nantes boss Antoine Kombouaré was left shell-shocked following his side’s 5-1 “hiding” in the Coupe de France final over the weekend, the heaviest defeat by any side in the final since 1970! Kombouaré stated in the wake of the defeat that his side “need to bounce back quickly” to secure survival as they sit outside of the extended drop zone by virtue of goal difference alone.

With that being the case, ending a brutal nine-game wait for a league win is imperative for Nantes (D4, L5), who have conceded at least two goals in six of their last seven league outings! Perhaps a trip to Brest will be the catalyst for success then, as Nantes have an impressive 62% win rate against them in the top-flight (W16, D5, L5), which is one of their strongest returns against any specific side.

📋 Players to watch: Noah Fadiga’s only goal for Brest served to put his side ahead in the reverse fixture, albeit that was one of nine league games from 15 this season that Brest have scored the opener in, yet still failed to win (W6, D6, L3). Ludovic Blas missed a penalty and made an assist for Nantes that day, and he could be in the thick of it again after scoring three goals and assisting two across his last five games.

⚡ Hot stat: Nantes have scored at least twice in four of their six league games against sides starting the day below them (W2, D4).