Nantes vs Nice Prediction & Betting Tips (25 January)

A natural candidate for retention, FC Nantes is a virtual roadblock after 18 days, 4 points behind its opponent of the day, the first non-relegation club. Their victory snatched at the start of the year in Marseille 0-2 already seems a distant memory given the following performances. Eliminated by Nice in the round of 16 of the Coupe de France 1-1, 3-5 TAB, the Canaries began the return phase of the Championship with a new failure, on their lawn against Paris FC 1-2. It is more worrying to see Nice melting into the battle for maintenance. Claiming European qualification at the start of the season and now on the verge of the relegation zone, the Gym slipped a little further down last weekend by losing to Toulouse 5-1.

This loss, its 7th defeat in the last 8 days, comes as a blow to a Nice team which had shown a better face at the start of the year against Strasbourg 1-1. Successor to Franck Haise during the winter break, new coach Claude Puel took advantage of the Coupe de France to obtain his first good results, against Saint-Etienne 2-1 and with this Nantes team 1-1, 3-5 TAB. His team tried last Thursday to regain its senses in the Europa League, against Go Ahead Eagles. 

The locals are without rookie Machado in starting status on the left side of the defense. The former Lens player was injured last weekend. Finally, defender Centonze (substitute) and midfielders Leroux (executive) and Tabibou (potential starter) remain uncertain. The coach recovers Awaziem (central holder) and Mohamed (2 goals in L1) compared to the match against Paris FC. Substitutes Hong and Benhattab fueled the transfer window in terms of departures and Ganago (return from loan), Cabella (attacking midfielder), Ibrahima Sissoko (midfield) and Ali Youssif (central defender) in terms of arrivals. Pushed towards the exit, Kwon and Lahdo should stay out of the group.

 Nice travels without the long-term absentees Ndayishimiye, Abdelmonem and Bombito, who are still convalescing, nor the attackers Moffi and Boga who have not worn the club jersey since the altercation with their supporters at the end of the year. Left back Bard (holder) could be added to the list of withdrawals after being injured in Toulouse. The coach hopes to be able to record the return of Senegalese internationals Diouf (goalkeeper number 1) and Mendy (manager defender). The participation of the veteran Dante and the influential Diop (6 goals in L1) in this meeting remains pending. Wahi has just scored his second goal since arriving at the club this winter.