Struggling Nantes welcome newly-promoted Ajaccio to the Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday, as 16th meets 17th in a crucial Ligue 1 clash.

The hosts lost narrowly to Reims last weekend, while their Corsican visitors recorded an impressive 4-2 win over Strasbourg.

Match preview

Following their historic Coupe de France victory last season, along with a respectable ninth-placed finish in Ligue 1, Nantes headed into the 2022-23 campaign with high hopes, taking part in European competition for the first time in 21 years.

While Les Canaris have sealed a box-office knockout tie with Juventus after finishing second in their Europa League group, sweeping aside Olympiacos last Thursday, Antoine Kombouare's men have been unable to find consistency in the league, winning just two of their opening 14 games.

The third-lowest scorers in the division, La Maison Jaune have suffered from the loss of Randal Kolo Muani to Eintracht Frankfurt, while midfielder Ludovic Blas has been unable to match his goalscoring output of the previous season.

Before defeat to Reims last weekend, the Breton side were unbeaten in three in Ligue 1, as Ignatius Ganago hit an encouraging patch of form following his summer move from Lens.

A 54th-minute red card did not help Nantes in a slender loss last weekend, but they will be hoping a return to home soil can inspire them to a crucial victory over their relegation-threatened visitors, having lost just once in front of their own fans in the league this campaign.

The visitors, on the other hand, are experiencing a mixed start to life back in Ligue 1, after last season's promotion ended a run of eight consecutive seasons in the French second tier.

Olivier Pantaloni's men were expected to struggle, given their shoestring budget going into the campaign, and start the final weekend before the World Cup in the relegation places, with the fewest goals scored in the entire division.

Nonetheless, with three impressive wins, including a sensational victory at previously unbeaten Marseille, the club from Corsica are always capable of providing a shock, especially with the mercurial talents of Youssef Belaili and Mounaim El Idrissy at the top end of the pitch.

The pair were particularly electric last weekend, as Ajaccio scored four times in 15 first-half minutes to complete a sensational comeback win over Strasbourg for their first home victory of the season.

Hoping to build on that pulsating performance, L'ours should be up for it once again as they face fellow strugglers on the final Sunday before the winter break.

Team News

The hosts will be without experienced defender Charles Traore for this encounter, who continues on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Fellow centre-back Nicolas Pallois is suspended following his red card last weekend, which will probably see Andrei Girotto return to the back four from his recent defensive midfield role.

For the visitors, Tunisian striker Yoann Touzghar should miss out with an ankle injury, while Clement Vidal will be unavailable after a straight red card last time out.

Cedric Avinel is also suspended, meaning Oumar Gonzalez should start in central defence alongside Ismael Diallo.

Nantes possible starting lineup:
Lafont; Merlin, Girotto, Castelletto, Centonze; Chirivella, Moutoussamy; Simon, Sissoko, Blas; Ganago

Ajaccio possible starting lineup:
Leroy; Kone, Gonzalez, Diallo, Youssouf; Belaili, Coutadeur, Marchetti, Nouri; El Idrissy, Hamouma

We say: Nantes 2-1 Ajaccio

Following their impressive win last weekend, we are expecting Ajaccio to come into this one with confidence and to at least get on the scoresheet in an important relegation battle.

Nonetheless, given they have suffered just one defeat at home this season, Nantes should have too much for their newly-promoted visitors as they record just their third win of the season.

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