Nantes vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2024-02-02 20:00.
Nantes earned a goalless draw at Reims to end a run of four successive Ligue 1 defeats, a point head coach Jocelyn Gourvennec was “happy” with, but the Canaries are still just three points above the promotion-relegation play-off place in what has been a baptism of fire for Gourvennec since he took the job in late November.
Breaking their five-game winless league sequence could be a daunting task as Lens visit the Stade de la Beaujoire, especially after Nantes were thumped 4-0 in the reverse fixture – the fourth straight league H2H in which they have failed to claim victory (D2, L2). Gourvennec should emphasise the importance of being switched on until full-time, as the Yellow House have conceded ten goals this season from the 76th minute onwards – a joint-high figure for this division going into the round.
After putting together an 11-match unbeaten league streak (W7, D4), eighth-placed Lens have lost two of their subsequent three top-flight encounters (W1). However, the latest of those games was a 2-0 triumph at Toulouse, which sets up the possibility of back-to-back away wins for the first time in 2023/24.
Lens’ resurgence over the past few months has thrust them into the conversation for European qualification, and they could jump to fifth this weekend if they claim the three points here and other results go their way. Adding strength to their claims is the fact that only Brest and Monaco had claimed more Ligue 1 points after falling behind than the Blood and Gold’s seven this term, while head coach Franck Haise – who stepped down from his additional role as general manager on Wednesday – has won three of his previous four meetings in the dugout with Gourvennec.
Players to watch: Florent Mollet has eight goal involvements this season across all competitions (G5, A3), with five of those coming between the 44th and 48th minutes. In his debut campaign at Lens, Nabil El Aynaoui has provided two assists in his last three matches whilst also scoring off the bench against Nantes in October.
Hot streak: The visiting side of the day has not won any of the last 17 Ligue 1 H2Hs.