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It has been an inconsistent and disappointing start to the season for Olympique Lyonnais but they did manage a much-needed win against Rangers in midweek as they now face a Nantes side that have started the season very steadily.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 6th October, 2024 - UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports
LYON PREVIEW: REDISCOVERING LAST SEASON
Last season, following the sackings of Laurent Blanc and Fabio Grosso, Pierre Sage led Lyon from the very bottom of Ligue 1 to a sixth placed finish as well as the Coupe de France final but they have struggled at the start of this season.
The home team did hammer Rangers by four goals to one in the UEFA Europa League at Ibrox in midweek but they have managed just two victories in their opening six matches of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign.
NANTES PREVIEW: THE INSPIRATION OF KOMBOUARE
Following the re-appointment of Antoine Kombouare towards the end of last season, after the sackings of both Pierre Aristouy and Jocelyn Gourvennac, Nantes eventually pulled themselves away from the bottom three and the danger zone.
This time around, the Canaries have suffered just one defeat in their opening six matches but that loss has been followed by back-to-back draws against the two bottom and newly-promoted clubs, Angers and Saint-Etienne.
LYON TEAM NEWS: MATA, MATIC OUT
Former Club Brugge defender Clinton Mata remains unavailable due to a yet to be disclosed injury and the same can be said for former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Perri; Kumbedi, Niakhate, Caleta-Car, Vinicius; Caqueret, Tessmann, Veretout; Benrahma, Mikautadze, Zaha
UNAVAILABLE: Mata (Injured), Matic (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
NANTES TEAM NEWS: DISCIPLINARY ISSUES
Both Jean-Charles Castelletto and Johann Lepenant have been internally suspended by the club due to a fall out with Kombouare, whilst Marcus Coco is out suspended. Key men such as Fabien Centonze and Tino Kadewere are among those sidelined through injury, too.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lafont; Mollet, Pallois, Zeze, Cozza; Chirivella, Augusto; Thomas, Ganago, Simon; Abline
UNAVAILABLE: Castelletto (Disciplinary), Lepenant (Disciplinary), Coco (Suspended), Kadewere (Injured), Duverne (Injured), Guirassy (Injured), Centonze (Injured), Mahamoud (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
LYON VS NANTES PREDICTION
These are two sides trending in different directions. As mentioned, Lyon have started the season quite slowly but their win against Toulouse in the 95th minute to be backed up by a big win in Europe should give them immense confidence. In contrast, Nantes now have issues developing both on and off the pitch so, especially with their home advantage, backing Lyon for this one seems the sensible bet.
LYON VS NANTES TIP: LYON TO WIN