Nantes vs Lyon: Betting Odds & Prediction

A resurgent Lyon travel to midtable Nantes on Sunday evening, knowing a win could boost their faint European dreams in Ligue 1. 

Seven points separate the two sides heading into the fixture. Kick off at the Beaujoire Stadium is at 7:45pm UK time. 

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Nantes

The home side have had a lacklustre campaign and find themselves 14th on 28 points, just two points ahead of the relegation play-off place. Nantes were however boosted by their upsetting of fifth-placed Nice last time out, where they ran out 2-1 away winners in South France. The victory was their first in three outings in Ligue 1.

Nantes' home form has been disappointing to say the least; they've picked up just 12 points at home, with Clermont and Metz the only other sides with worst records in the division. Their last six home matches have ended in defeat, with their most recent victory on home soil coming in December - also against Nice. 

Antonine Kombouare's side have struggled in front of goal this season, with just 26 goals to their name home and away. 15 of these have came in home fixtures though, where they've averaged an expected goal (xG) tally of 1.15 so far. However, they've failed to score in their last six matches on home turf. 

Conceding goals has also been a massive problem; they've shipped 42 so far, with 22 of those coming at home at an average of 1.57 per match. They also give opposition plenty of opportunities to find the net, averaging an expected goal against (xGA) tally of 1.48 overall, though this rises to 1.56 at home. 

Lyon

Lyon come into the clash after securing a place in the Coupe de France final with a comfortable 3-0 win over Valenciennes mid-week. They have enjoyed a resurgence of sort since the winter break, losing just three of 14 matches played. 

They still come into Sunday’s clash in tenth place on 35 points though, eight points off fifth-placed Nice, knowing they will can ill-afford to drop more points if they are to secure European football next season. 

Lyon have won four of their five away matches since the winter break, but have only collected 19 points from their 13 away fixtures overall. They've scored an underwhelming 31 goals in Ligue 1 so far, and have failed to find the net in 31% of matches on the road. 

Only nine clean sheets have came in their 27 outings this year, and their 41 goals conceded leaves them with an average of an alarming 1.52 shipped per match.

Prediction

Though neither side will be happy with their campaign so far, Lyon's recent form make them the sensible pick on the moneyline. Nantes' dismal home record makes it hard to back them landing another upset, and though Lyon have hardly been convincing in defensive quarters, the toothless attack of the home side shouldn't pose a significant threat. 

OddsNow's Pick: Lyon to win (5/4 @ Coral)