Nantes host Lyon this weekend, still looking for their first league victory of 2025, having drawn three consecutive games in Ligue 1.
Les Canaris sit just above the relegation zone in 15th place in the standings, while their visitors are enjoying a more successful campaign, as they are sixth and firmly in the race for European football next season.
Match preview
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The hosts were denied victory late on in a relegation six-pointer last weekend, as Augustine Boakye netted an equaliser for Saint-Etienne with just minutes remaining of their clash to share the spoils.
The late goal prevented Nantes from putting some daylight between themselves and Les Verts in the standings, with the two teams still locked on 17 points each.
The hosts have struggled to win games all season, with Nantes sharing the joint-lowest win total in the division with bottom-placed Montpellier on three wins apiece.
The pressure has been mounting on head coach Antoine Kombouare, but despite speculation surrounding his future, he remains in his role for now.
With just one win in their last 15 Ligue 1 matches, Nantes and Kombouare are desperate for three points this weekend against Lyon.
In the reverse fixture back in October, Nicolas Tagliafico put the hosts ahead, before an own goal from Nicolas Pallois sealed the three points for Lyon.
That was one of four defeats Kombouare's side have suffered on the road this season, but they have not fared much better in their home games, with Nantes owning the second-worst home record in the division, having picked up only nine points in front of their fans this season.
The hosts need to start picking up wins sooner rather than later to avoid relegation, and they will be looking to exploit any vulnerability in a visiting side that are winless in their last four.
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The visitors started January with a 1-0 win over Montpellier, but a 2-1 loss at Brest was followed up with a shock exit in the Coupe de France to Bourgoin-Jallieu on penalties.
In their last league outing, the visitors drew 0-0 with Toulouse to continue their frustrating start to the new year domestically - before another goalless draw against Fenerbahce on Thursday in the Europa League.
Lyon's recent frustrations have been somewhat uncharacteristic, as they have been highly consistent for most of the season, including a nine-match unbeaten run in Ligue 1 between late September and mid-December.
Despite being in sixth, the visitors are within touching distance of the teams above them, with just three points separating Lyon from Lille, who currently occupy third place in the division.
Having finished sixth last season, the visitors are meeting expectations so far this season under head coach Pierre Sage, but that has not prevented speculation surrounding his future at the club, as former AC Milan boss Paulo Fonseca has recently been linked with the job at Groupama Stadium.
For now at least, Sage remains in his role, and he will focus all of his attention on getting a fourth away win of the campaign for Les Gones.
Team News
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The hosts will be without Nathan Zeze, who is recovering from a broken ankle and will not be back in action until at least April.
Elsewhere, Tino Kadewere is nearing a return to action from a muscle injury, but this game will probably come too soon for him.
Meanwhile, the visitors were handed a boost on Thursday, as captain Alexandre Lacazette returned from a muscle injury that kept him sidelined for last weekend's clash with Toulouse.
The only major doubt for Sage's side is former Arsenal man Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is recovering from a recent illness and is not expected to feature this weekend.
Nantes possible starting lineup:
Lopes; Cozza, Castelletto, Pallois, Amian; Augusto, Chirivella, Guirassy, Lepenant, Simon; Abline
Lyon possible starting lineup:
Perri; Tagliafico, Niakhate, Mata, Kumbedi; Tolisso, Matic, Veretout; Fofana, Lacazette, Benrahma
We say: Nantes 0-2 Lyon
The visitors have had a tough start to the year, but they should have enough to see off Nantes this weekend.
Lyon's attack should have too much quality for a Nantes defence that have not kept a clean sheet in over a month.
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Tom Humphrey
