Strasbourg vs Nantes Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Strasbourg have started the season in Ligue 1 well, but they have European distractions to concern themselves with, as they welcome Nantes to the Alsace this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports Connect
Strasbourg preview: Strong Strasbourg
Liam Rosenior heaped the praise on his side after they defeated newly-promoted Metz by a goal to nil on the opening day of the season last weekend, to kick off a season in which Strasbourg will be expected to push for UEFA Champions League qualification.
In that game, big spending Strasbourg earned themselves a win via a Joaquin Panichelli winner late on. Since then, they were held to a goalless draw at home by Brondby in the first-leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League playoff round tie in midweek.
Nantes preview: Stubborn last week
Nantes have seemingly been circling the drain for the last few years and the Canaries are expected to struggle throughout this campaign, despite a change in the dugout, with Luis Castro have been appointed to replace Antoine Kombouare over the summer.
However, on the opening day of the campaign, Nantes were stubborn against last season’s treble winners Paris Saint-Germain at Stade de la Beaujoire, albeit the Parisiens had heavily rotated and did eventually win the game late on by a goal to nil.
Strasbourg team news: Defensive issues
Strasbourg have several defensive issues for this one as Abakar Sylla, Soumaila Coulibaly and Saidou Sow are all sidelined, with Guela Doue a doubt and goalkeeper Mike Penders also a doubt.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Johnsson; Mwanga, Hogsberg, Sarr; Amo-Ameyaw, Lemarchal, El Mourabet, Barco, Ouattara; Emegha, Panichelli
Unavailable: Sylla (Injured), Coulibaly (Injured), Sow (Injured)
Questionable: Penders (Injured), Doue (Injured), Diego Moreira (Injured), Amougou (Injured)
Nantes team news: No confirmed absentees
Nantes have no confirmed absentees as they make the trip to Strasbourg this weekend, but the visitors do have a doubt for this one as Mayckel Lahdo as a thigh issue.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Lopes; Amian, Awaziem, Tati, Cozza; Kwon; Benhattab, Leroux, Lepenant, Guirassy; Mostafa Mohamed
Unavailable:
Questionable: Lahdo (Injured)
Strasbourg vs Nantes prediction
Strasbourg’s style of football under Rosenior is very impressive and they have managed to majorly improve. The one issue is that it can be overly controlled and cautious with too much emphasis on dominating possession. They now face a Nantes side that will be seeking to steer themselves clear of the drop by being difficult to beat, so this one should be a low-scoring encounter, although Strasbourg are favourites with home advantage.
Strasbourg vs Nantes tip: Strasbourg to win & under 3.5 goals
