The 23rd round of Ligue 1 football will see Nantes clash with Lens on February 23, 2025, at the Stade de la Beaujoire at 17:00 Moscow time. Both teams are facing different challenges, making this match pivotal for their respective seasons.
Nantes, managed by Antoine Kombouaré, is currently sitting at 15th place on the league table with 21 points. They come off one of their most humiliations defeats, losing 1-7 against Monaco recently. This heavy loss adds to their woes, having only one victory across their last eight matches—highlighting significant issues both in confidence and execution. Kombouaré stated, "Our goal is to secure points and climb back up the table,” reflecting the urgency for his team to recover.
Despite being at home, Nantes has struggled to find their footing. Historical performance indicates they have only ten points from home games this season, which is among the lowest (only 6 points for Havre). They succumbed to pressure regularly, and past data shows they have nine instances where they've conceded multiple goals at home. To compound their challenges, Nantes will be without key players due to injuries and suspensions, including defender Nicolas Cozza. They face Lens when defensive solidity is one of their top concerns.
Lens, under the guidance of William Still, currently finds themselves positioned 8th with 33 points, following several setbacks. After losing back-to-back matches against Nice and Strasbourg with the same 0-2 scoreline, the team's morale has certainly taken hits. Still pointedly mentioned, "We need to refocus and play to our strengths against Nantes,” acknowledging the pressing need for improved performances away from home.
Lens has the advantage of being historically competitive against Nantes recently. They have not lost to Nantes in their last three encounters, including their latest clash which favored Lens 3-2. They are expected to bring aggression upfront, aiming to capitalize on Nantes' defensive vulnerabilities. Interestingly, analysis shows Lens boasts the potential to score frequently, with their away games reflecting consistent offensive output (scoring at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 away matches).
For this match, various betting odds indicate Lens is favored to win. Bookmakers assign Nantes just 27% chance of winning, with Lens potentially at 46% to win the match. Observers expect both teams to score, as it has been evident through their current forms. Betting analysts highlighted, "Nantes has struggled defensively; they have only one clean sheet this season,” underscoring weaknesses for the hosts. The statistics also indicate Lens is capable of scoring multiple goals even on opposing turf—an aspect they are likely to exploit against diminishing Nantes side.
Given the tactical preparations and analyzing prior match statistics, predictions lean toward Lens securing three points. Sports analysts forecast the correct scoreline could likely veer toward 2-1 in favor of Lens, with both teams registering on the scoresheet. Angling for safety, Nantes may find themselves under pressure to at least try to score as they hope not to remain on the losing end at their home ground. Laying wagers on who will secure points—either through total goals or by declaring Nashville to avoid defeat must be taken seriously for interested punters.
Both squads are set to intersect on what could very well be pivotal for their overall season narratives. For fans and avid followers of Ligue 1—this is set to be a tantalizing match filled with plenty of discussions to dissect post-encounter.