Lyon vs Nantes Prediction & Tips
Lyon come into this penultimate game of a forgettable league season after seeing their European aspirations come to an end with a 3-2 loss to Metz last time out. The team now start the round as eighth and aim to avoid finishing outside the top seven in Ligue 1 for the first time since 1995/96. However, this is not to say that Lyon’s campaign has not been entertaining, with all but one of their last seven league games seeing both teams score.
In fact, the fans at the Groupama Stadium will be saluting “Les Gones” for the last time this season after seeing their team record three consecutive home wins in Ligue 1, with Lyon scoring in each half during that span. Their good form in front of goal suits a visit from Nantes, as Lyon have lost just once in the last 19 occasions on which they have been on the road (G15, E3).
Nantes are in ninth place and will travel with confidence after winning the Coupe de France with a 2-1 home win over Rennes in midweek. That cup secured them a place in the Europa League for the first time in their history, but while we may now begin to see the motivation for the rest of the season subside with only pride to play for, Nantes’ comeback win over Rennes suggests that the visitors will be looking to finish on a high.
The “Canaries” will be grateful that this is the last time they play away this season as they have only won half of their home points playing away from home (36 vs 18). An unlikely win in this clash would mean that Nantes would overtake Lyon in the table, putting them on track to finish in the top eight in Ligue 1 for only the second time since 2003/04.
Players to watch: Lyon striker Moussa Dembélé has enjoyed after his recent appointment as captain, scoring nine goals in his last seven league appearances. Meanwhile, Nantes’ Ludovic Blas has opened the scoring in five of the last six games in which he has found the back of the net, including last weekend’s cup final.
Key stat: Only Rennes (15) have scored more goals than Nantes between the 46th and 60th minute this season (11).
Lyon – Nantes FREE TIPS
OVER 3.5 GOALS @ 2.25
