Nantes vs Lorient Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 French Ligue 1
THE FACTS
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
When is Nantes vs Lorient on and what time does it start? Nantes vs Lorient will take place on Saturday 23rd September, 2023 – 16:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Nantes vs Lorient? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Nantes vs Lorient on in the UK? TNT Sports have the rights to Ligue 1 matches in the UK, so it is worth checking their schedule for Nantes vs Lorient
Where can I stream Nantes vs Lorient in the UK? If Nantes vs Lorient is televised on TNT Sports, then subscribers can stream the match live on discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
NANTES
Despite winning the 2022 Coupe de France and, subsequently, reaching the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League last season, Nantes struggled against relegation until the final day of last season. They reached the 2023 cup final but lost and it was a distraction away from poor league for; poor league form which has continued into this season.
Under the management of Pierre Aristouy, Nantes come into this on the back of a slender but much-needed 1-0 win away to Clermont in their most recent outing, last weekend. The home team have managed just one victory in their opening five matches as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just above the bottom three.
LORIENT
Since gaining promotion back to the top-flight a couple of seasons ago, Lorient have performed well by sitting in and around mid-table in Ligue 1. They managed a top-half finish last season and, under the management of Regis Le Bris, will hope their impressive off-field operation can be propelled into the European spots this season.
Lorient’s summer was dominated by negative headlines after the controversial signing of former Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy. Mendy made his debut in a 2-2 draw with an impressive Monaco side last weekend. That result leaves Lorient sitting in the middle-of-the-table with a win, three draws and a defeat so far.
THE TEAM NEWS
NANTES
Pierre Aristouy is once again missing several key players with goalkeeper Alban Lafont the most notable absentee since his injury on the opening day.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Descamps; Pierre-Gabriel, Cumart, Castelletto, Merlin; Chirivella, Augusto; Marquinhos, Mollet, Simon; Ganago
UNAVAILABLE: Meupiyou (Suspended), Adson (Injured), Centonze (Injured), Zeze (Injured), Lafont (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LORIENT
Reglis Le Bris is without several first-team players, such as Bamba Dieng, Jean-Victor Makengo and late summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko for this weekend.
PREDICTED XI (3-4-2-1): Mvogo; Talbi, Laporte, Toure; Kalulu, Abergel, Ponceau, Le Goff; Faivre, Aiyegun; Kroupi
UNAVAILABLE: Makengo (Injured), Bakayoko (Injured), Innocent (Injued), Mendy (Injured), Dieng (Injured), Boisgard (Injured), Kari (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
There is a chance that these two sides are only narrowly separated in the Ligue 1 table at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. Nantes look set for another battle against relegation, as they endured last year. They face a Lorient side that may well be eyeing up a top-half finish, though, and, given the form of the two sides at this early stage, a double chance bet in favour of the away team appears to be good value for this one.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – NANTES TO WIN OR DRAW
