Nantes vs Reims Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 French Ligue 1
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It has been a really bright start to the season for Nantes this year after spending the most of last season involved in the Ligue 1 relegation battle. They welcome Stade de Reims to Stade de la Beaujoire this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Sunday 15th September, 2024 - UK – 4:00pm / US ET – 11:00am / US PT – 8:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Ligue 1 Pass / US – beIN Sports
NANTES PREVIEW: KOMBOUARE’S NANTES
Last season, Nantes endured a really difficult campaign in which they looked certain to be involved in the relegation battle until the final day of the season and they took the decision to sack both Pierre Aristouy and Jocelyn Gourvennac before welcoming Antoine Kombouare back for a second stint in charge.
Since his return, the Canaries have been much-improved and they have continued that into this season by collecting seven points from their opening three matches. After a draw in Toulouse on the opening day of the campaign, Nantes have since gone on to complete comfortable victories against Auxerre and Montpellier Herault.
REIMS PREVIEW: REIMS IMPROVING
During the last summer transfer window, Stade de Reims spent over £50 million for Will Still to try and lead them towards a top six finish and European qualification. Reims eventually parted ways with Still towards the back end of last season as they slid into the middle-of-the-table and he has been replaced by Le Havre’s Slovenian coach Luka Elsner.
Elsner has started this season well with Reims recovering from an opening day 2-0 loss at home to Lille. Since then, Reims have gone away to the Stade Velodrome and picked up an impressive 2-2 draw against Olympique de Marseille before then defeating Stade Rennais by two goals to one before the September international break.
NANTES TEAM NEWS: BIG BUCKS FOR KOMBOUARE
Antoine Kombouare will have to earn his money to send out a competitive Nantes side this season with so many injuries and especially in defensive positions.
As well as Fabien Centonze and Ignatius Ganago, Nantes will be without Cameroonian international Jean-Charles Castelletto, West Ham target Nathan Zeze and Florent Mollet.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Lafont; Coco, Pallois, Cozza, Duverne; Pedro Chirivella, Lepenant; Thomas, Kadewere, Simon; Abline
UNAVAILABLE: Zeze (Injured), Guirassy (Injured), Castelletto (Injured), Mollet (Injured), Centonze (Injured), Mahamoud (Injured), Ganago (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REIMS TEAM NEWS: FINAL GAME OF AMADOU KONE’S SUSPENDION
Key midfielder Amadou Kone is serving the final game of his three-match suspension from Ligue 1 following a red card he received early on the opening day of the campaign against Lille.
As well as Amadou Kone, Abdoul Kone remains unavailable injury alongside key defenders Gabriel Moscardo and Sergio Akieme. Key attacker Mohamed Daramy is also out.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Diouf; Buta, Okumu, Agbadou, Sangui; Munetsi, Atangana, Fofana; Ito, Diakite, Nakamura
UNAVAILABLE: Ab. Kone (Injured), Gabriel Moscardo (Injured), Sergio Akieme (Injured), Am. Kone (Suspended), Daramy (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
NANTES VS REIMS PREDICTION
Despite sitting right up towards the top end of the table, Nantes’ style of football hasn’t changed and it remains quite dull but obviously effective with the hosts’ three matches consisting of six goals scored – with just one conceded. Reims will be steady under Luka Elsner and could eventually become quite attacking as is the intention but, for now, a low-scoring encounter seems likely for this one.
NANTES VS REIMS TIP: UNDER 2.5 GOALS
