Nice vs Nantes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-03-30 13:00.
[p]Their surprise title challenge may have collapsed, but Nice need to put that disappointment behind them quickly as there are still European places to play for. The Eaglets last played in the UEFA Champions League back in 2017/18, a hiatus they have every chance of ending given they enter the final eight rounds of the Ligue 1 season outside the top four only on goal difference.[/p]
[p]Their position in the table is helped by a 3-1 win over Lens before the international break, a result that finally ended a six-game winless run across all competitions (D1, L5). Manager Francesco Farioli praised his sides’ “courage” in that performance, and he will be hoping for more of the same as they look to put a stop to a run of three matches without success on home soil (D1, L2).[/p]
[p]That form might provide hope to opponents Nantes, who are unbeaten in the last four H2Hs (W2, D2), a run they need to continue as they desperately search for points in their battle against the drop. A 3-1 reversal to Strasbourg in their most recent outing was a third successive defeat for the Canaries, who are in their 11th successive season in the French top-flight, but head into this round in the relegation play-off place.[/p]
[p]With their position in Ligue 1 under threat, Antoine Kombouaré has been reinstated as head coach over the international break, although he admits it was a “surprise” to get the call from the club’s chairman, given he only left the post ten months ago. History suggests the new boss should at least get off to a positive start now he is back in the dugout, as he has never lost his first game after taking a managerial role (W4, D5).[/p]
[p]Key battle: Veteran Nice captain Dante has never lost a home H2H in the league (W3, D3), despite failing to help his side keep a clean sheet in each of those games. He’ll be keeping a close eye on Mostafa Mohamed, who has netted two of Nantes’ last four away league goals, and his last eight club goals arrived before the hour mark.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Nice have Ligue 1’s worst record when conceding first this season, losing each of the six games in which they have gone 1-0 down.[/p]