Nantes vs Lyon Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Nantes remain firmly in the relegation battle in Ligue 1 as they welcome Olympique Lyonnais to Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday evening.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Nantes preview: Struggling Nantes
Nantes come into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat away to Lorient at Stade du Moustoir last weekend. That has extended their losing streak in the French top-flight to three matches as they sit third from bottom ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures.
The Canaries, under the management of Ahmed Kantari, briefly improved over the mid-season winter break after the departure of Luis Castro but performances and results have again begun to fall off a cliff as they attempt to stave off the drop.
Lyon preview: Strong Lyon
They now face an Olympique Lyonnais side that begin the weekend sitting tucked inside the top four and the UEFA Champions League spots with some excellent form, coached by Paulo Fonseca, as they push up towards the top-of-the-table.
Lyon edged past Lille by a goal to nil at Parc OL last weekend to continue their impressive run of form. The visitors have extended their winning streak to 11 matches across all competitions with fine form in the UEFA Europa League and the Coupe de France, too.
Nantes team news: Issues for new signings
Having completed moves in the January transfer window, Frederic Guilbert is a confirmed absentee for this one, while Deiver Machado is also a doubt, too.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Lopes; Amian, Sissoko, Cozza; Centonze, Leroux, Lepenant, Yousef; Abline, Cabella; Mostafa Mohamed
Unavailable: Guilbert (Injured)
Questionable: Deiver Machado (Injured)
Lyon team news: Several issues
Lyon have plenty of issues for this one as Corentin Tolisso remains a doubt, while Nicolas Tagliafico, Orel Mangala, Ernest Nuamah and Malick Fofana are confirmed absentees.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Greif; Maitland-Niles, Clinton Mata, Kluivert, Abner; Tessmann, Morton, Karabec; Sulc, Endrick, Afonso
Unavailable: Tagliafico (Injured), Mangala (Injured), Nuamah (Injured), Fofana (Injured)
Questionable: Tolisso (Injured), Ghezzal (Injured)
Nantes vs Lyon prediction
Lyon head to Brittany in some of the best form any side has shown in European football this season. The expectation is that Nantes pose a bit of a threat in terms of keeping things tight but their overall lack of quality means that the likelihood is that Lyon make it 12 victories in a row this weekend.
Nantes vs Lyon tip: Lyon to win
