Nantes vs Lorient Prediction & Tips
It may have taken five rounds, but Nantes remain above the relegation zone at this early stage of Ligue 1 after recording their first win of the season (G1, E2, P2), 1-0 at home to Clermont last weekend. A slow start is nothing new for this team, which actually picked up one point less on the way to finishing in the top half of the table in the 2021/22 campaign, so they will be hoping to get a good result against Lorient, an opponent to whom they have not lost at home since 2007.
However, a return home is not guaranteed to generate extra motivation for Nantes, who have won just one of their last 11 home league games so far (E5, P5). Home fans have seen their team concede at least two goals in eight of the last ten games of that streak, while in two of the last three matches they dropped points after squandering leads on the scoreboard.
It has not been a much better start for Lorient, who have been solid if uninspiring in the first five rounds (G1, E3, P1). They have shown their character by picking up two of their six points thanks to comebacks and, given that they recovered an impressive 12 points after being down on the scoreboard last season, they should not be written off if they find themselves behind at any point in this fixture.
Régis Le Bris’ side will need to end a run of more than four hours without scoring a goal away from home if they have any ambition of winning this game, a run that is largely part of four winless away games in Ligue 1 (E2, P2). Lorient have failed to win 11 of their last 12 league games on rival soil, although considering the only win during that period came against PSG, they may well spring a surprise and get a positive result in this clash.
Players to watch: Nantes star Moses Simon has been involved in his team’s last two league goals (one goal, one assist). Lorient’s Romain Faivre scored the 97th-minute equalizer against Monaco last time out, but could barely score the consolation goal in two defeats against Nantes.
Key stat: Nantes were unbeaten in ten of their last 11 league matches in which they started as betting favorites (G5, E5, P1), and this is the first time this has happened to them in the current season.
Nantes – Lorient FREE TIPS
Nantes – Win @ 2.25
