Nantes are set to host Reims on Sunday at Stade de la Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau in each side's fourth Ligue 1 game of the 2024-25 season.
The home side are currently third in France's top flight with seven points and beat Montpellier HSC 3-1 last time out on August 31, while the visitors are 10th with four points and most-recently emerged 2-1 victors against Rennes on September 1.
Match preview
The hosts had just 31% possession overall, produced nine shots and faced 10 shots in their win last time out, and in the second half they had just 26% possession.
Nantes were arguably fortunate to have scored three times considering they generated less than one non-penalty xG, but to their credit they prevented Montpellier from creating a single big chance.
In their second game of the Ligue 1 season on August 25, Les Canaris only had 35% possession, but they still managed to create two big chances and beat Auxerre 2-0.
Of the 18 teams in the French top flight, Nantes are averaging the lowest possession figure, but their counter-attacking strategy appears to have worked so far given they have conceded the joint fewest goals per match.
Manager Antoine Kombouare's side ended the 2023-24 campaign in poor form by losing three and drawing two of their final five games last season.
However, Nantes are unbeaten in their last three competitive games, though they did lose their final 10 competitive matches at home last term.
Opponents Reims come into the clash fresh from their victory against Rennes, a match in which the Red and Whites had 53% possession and produced four big chances, four times that of Rennes.
The visitors drew 2-2 with Marseille in their previous Ligue 1 game on August 25, but while they defended well, they still conceded six big chances and only produced one of their own.
Boss Luka Elsner will be concerned that Reims have conceded the fourth most xG in the division and have also created the least xG of any team.
Elsner has only been in charge for three games, but his team have done well in recent Ligue 1 matches, having won three, drawn one and lost just one of their last five.
Reims have failed to win any of their last six away matches in the top flight, losing two times and drawing on four occasions, and they have only won two of their last 12 league fixtures on the road.
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Team News
The hosts have numerous absentees, including Adel Mahamoud and Fabien Centonze, who will both be absent for several months due to knee injuries.
Nantes will also be without Nicolas Cozza, Bahereba Guirassy, Florent Mollet and Ignatius Ganago, while Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nathan Zeze and Tino Kadewere are all doubts.
As for the visitors, Amadou Kone is suspended, while fellow midfielder Gabriel Moscardo is also ruled out.
Elsewhere, Reims will be unable to select Sergio Akieme and have doubts about the availability of Abdoul Kone, Mohammed Daramy and Yaya Fofana.
Nantes possible starting lineup:
Lafont; Coco, Pallois, Amian, Duverne; Chirivella, Lepenant; Thomas, Leroux, Simon; Matthis
Reims possible starting lineup:
Diouf; Buta, Okumu, Agbadou, Sangui; Munetsi, Atangana Edoa, Teuma; Ito, Diakite, Nakamura
We say: Nantes 1-0 Reims
Nantes will likely surrender possession to the visitors as they have done in all three of their league games this season and look to strike during counter-attacks.
Additionally, Reims have been poor away from home recently and have struggled to create many meaningful opportunities in front of goal this campaign, and it would not be surprising if they lost on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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