Nantes vs Troyes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-04-22 13:00.
Boss Antoine Kombouaré didn’t mince his words in the wake of Nantes’ 2-1 defeat against relegation rivals Auxerre last time out, stating that his side “are not concerned about staying up” alongside some expletives. That result left the Canaries just two points above the temporarily extended drop-zone but with the Coupe de France final next week, Nantes have an opportunity to seize both survival and silverware to quell Kombouaré’s wrath.
Ending a woeful eight-game wait for a league win is first on the agenda for Nantes (D3, L5). Within that run is seven conceded goals across their last three home league outings, that’s as many as they’d let in across their nine home league games prior! Perhaps the visit of Troyes will be a catalyst for success then, as Nantes have never lost a top-flight home H2H against them (W7, D2) while they are unbeaten in all of their league games this season against sides starting the round below them (W2, D4).
That woeful away record here is exacerbated by Troyes’ shocking 14-game wait for a league victory (D3, L11). This is Troyes’ – in all of their previous forms – 400th top-flight game, but it’s difficult to see them making it past the 406 mark anytime soon with an almost insurmountable ten-point gap to the last safe position ahead of the round.
The effort levels of Troyes can also be called into question for their horrific slide in form, with veteran defender and club captain Adil Rami stating that he “couldn’t give a damn, my career is done” when asked about whether his teammates have given up on the hope of staying up. In any case, all three points will likely go one way or the other as Troyes are the only side in Europe’s top-five leagues yet to draw an away league game (W3, L13).
Key battle: Nantes haven’t scored a goal in over three hours of H2H play since Ludovic Blas’ penalty in this fixture during 2021/22. This season, he’s made three goal contributions across his last three games (G2, A1). Trying to marshall him will be Rami, the former World Cup winner and French champion who is unbeaten in four of his five H2Hs with Nantes (W3, D1, L1).
Hot stat: Troyes have kept a comfortable league-low one clean sheet all season (3%).