Nantes vs Reims prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-04-01 13:00.
Ligue 1 action returns to Nantes amidst a worrying backdrop of national protests spilling onto the streets of the city during the week whilst fresh legal proceedings against the club by Cardiff City’s owner have provided more off-field drama. Things aren’t exactly hunky dory on the pitch either as the Canaries have slipped to a five-game winless run of league games (D2, L3) and sit just seven points above the drop zone.
Nantes’ decline can also be seen in their home form as they’ve lost as many league games across their last four here (W1, D1, L2) as they did in their 20 home league games prior (W10, D8, L2). It could be about to get worse if the bookmakers' predictions come to fruition as Nantes have failed to win 18 of their 19 league games at any venue as pre-match outsiders this term (W1, D8, L10).
Looking to heap further misery on them are Reims, a club led by undoubtedly the biggest touchline revelation in Ligue 1 this season, Will Still. The 30 year-old Anglo-Belgian coach lost for the first time in league action since his appointment last time out (W9, D8, L1) and after such a remarkable run, the question on everybody’s lips is…will Will Still still be the Reims manager next year?
West Ham are reportedly interested in Still’s services although his immediate focus is on continuing to write a fairytale with the Champagne club. The visitors are yet to lose an away league game under Still, but they’ve frustratingly drawn more road league games than any side across Europe’s top-five leagues, including eight of their last ten trips (W2, D8).
Players to watch: Nantes’ Ludovic Blas has hit double figures for competitive goals in his last two full seasons and could repeat that feat with one more goal, though his only strike against Reims came in a 3-2 defeat. As for Reims, Folarin Balogun is swiftly closing in on 20 competitive goals for the season (G18) after scoring first in his last two appearances.
Hot stat: Reims have kept three consecutive Ligue 1 away clean sheets and will equal a club record set in 1953 with one more here.