Nantes vs Clermont prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-01-13 14:00.
With only two sides picking up fewer points than 13th-placed Nantes across the final eight rounds of Ligue 1 games in 2023 (W1, D1, L6), manager Jocelyn Gourvennec, who was in charge for the final four matches of that run (W1, L3), will be well aware that his men need to turn their form around if they are to steer clear of the relegation places. They seemingly have an excellent opportunity to do so this weekend, with bottom-of-the-table Clermont visiting the Stade de la Beaujoire.
However, the Canaries have also been struggling at home of late, with just one goal and one victory from their last four games on their own patch (D1, L2). Gourvennec will be hoping that last weekend’s confidence-boosting 4-1 win in the Coupe de France at second-tier Pau can provide some goalscoring momentum in the league, particularly as they were trailing 1-0 at half-time in that encounter.
Clermont will also be keen to bring their Coupe de France success of last week to this fixture after they won, albeit on penalties, at Metz on Friday. They have returned with three points only once on their travels so far this season though (D3, L4) and head north-east after netting just twice in their last four league away matches.
Manager Pascal Gastien has been in charge of Les Lanciers since September 2017 and signed a contract extension last April, but his position is looking increasingly fragile with only two league victories on the board this term, including none from their last six (D2, L4). And it could be about to get even worse as Clermont are winless in their last five competitive outings against Nantes dating back to 2013 (D2, L3)!
Players to watch: Attacking midfielder Florent Mollet got his team’s first against Pau last Friday evening and contributed to both of Nantes’ goals in December (G1, A1). With no Gabon in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, forward Jim Allevinah is available and will be targeting a goal for the third successive away match after finding the net at both Marseille and Metz.
Hot streak: Nantes have not conceded a first-half goal in any of their last five home games.