Nantes vs AC Ajaccio prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-11-12 14:00.
Thwarted by the sending off of defender Nicolas Pallois in their recent 0-1 loss at Reims, Nantes have now won just two of their 14 Ligue 1 matches (D6, L6) and are left hovering just above the division’s four-team relegation zone ahead of the round. Only twice previously have they had a lower top-flight points total at this stage (12), shedding light on why under-fire manager Antoine Kombouaré is one of the favourites to join an ever-growing list of Ligue 1 managers who have already been relieved of their duties this season.
Kombouaré will be glad that this final game before the World Cup break is coming at home, given Nantes’ solid record in front of their home fans recently. Only league leaders PSG have managed to win at Nantes this season (W2, D3), with the home side conceding no more than once in those other five fixtures. Their success has usually required some patience and discipline, with the Canaries scoring beyond the 70th minute in each of the previous three home outings in all competitions.
Ajaccio’s crucial 4-2 home win against Strasbourg now leaves them in the position of being able to spend Christmas outside the relegation zone at Strasbourg’s expense, offering some extra incentive for the side that have earned the majority of their Ligue 1 points away from home. A repeat of that win here would also hand Ajaccio consecutive top-flight wins for the first time since February 2013.
The slow starts of the host side may be a relief for visiting Ajaccio, whose remarkable 4-2 comeback against Strasbourg last round was the second time in five league outings they won despite conceding the opening goal within 15 minutes. Ajaccio are by far the worst beginners of this division, scoring just once and conceding 11 goals in the first half hour, and they will enter this round having failed to score in more Ligue 1 games (six) than any other side, so the challenge now is to establish some consistency they can be proud of.
Key battle: Nantes will be looking for a strong display from defender Andrei Girotto, who had made more interceptions (38) than any Ligue 1 player at the conclusion of the last round. He’ll be trying to stop Youcef Belaïli, who should be high on confidence after two goals and an assist in Ajaccio’s most recent win.
Hot streak: Nantes are unbeaten in their last six home Ligue 1 games against a newly promoted side (W3, D3).