Auxerre vs Nantes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-05-09 19:00.
[p]After losing three of their last four Ligue 1 matches (W1), a top-half finish now looks improbable for Auxerre, but it has nonetheless been a successful return to the top-flight for the newly promoted club. Their safety was guaranteed weeks ago, meaning Christophe Pélissier’s side head into this penultimate round of games sat tenth, ten points ahead of the division’s relegation play-off spot in 16th which is occupied by Le Havre.[/p]
[p]Within their last four games, Auxerre lost twice on home soil to Lyon (3-1) and Le Havre (2-1) respectively. Those two defeats dented what has otherwise been a strong foundation for success at the Stade de l’AbbĂ©-Deschamps, where they have been beaten just four times this Ligue 1 season (W7, D5) thanks to what is a joint-high seven home clean sheets.[/p]
[p]Saturday’s visitors Nantes haven’t won any of their last four games (D2, L2) and are still firmly in a relegation battle with two rounds to go. Antoine Kombouaré’s side are unlikely to end the season in Ligue 1’s bottom two, but ominously linger just a single place and point above Le Havre, so the threat of the relegation play-off could loom large if they aren’t able to pick up all three points this weekend.[/p]
[p]This is the third time in the last five seasons that the Canaries have won just seven of their first 32 league games (D11, L14), and this campaign is even worse when considering that two of their victories came in the opening three rounds. They have been rated as favourites for this clash despite losing four of their last five Ligue 1 away trips (W1), whilst a 2-1 defeat in last season’s corresponding H2H was their sixth consecutive Ligue 1 loss away to Auxerre.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Auxerre captain Jubal has scored six goals this term as a defender and was even on target in the aforementioned win at home to Nantes last season. He’ll be out to stop Moses Simon from adding to his two goal involvements (G1, A1) in three appearances against Auxerre.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Nantes conceded in each of their last 15 away league games and would unwillingly equal their longest such run in the top flight if Auxerre score here.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]