Ligue 1 | Gameweek 16

Jan 4, 2025 at 6pm UK

Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Lille vs Nantes

Match preview

After a 1-1 draw at Marseille in their last league game extended Lille's unbeaten run to 16 games - including wins over both Madrid clubs in the Champions League - they avoided an embarrassing end to that run just before Christmas.

Facing third-tier Rouen in the Coupe de France, they booked their place in the last 32 with a 1-0 win at the Stade Robert Diochon thanks to Ismaily's first-half strike.

Lille have now won 10 and lost none of their last 17 matches in all competitions, the second-longest run in the club's history, surpassed only by the 19-match unbeaten run between October 1973 and March 1974.

Bruno Genesio's men are not only best of the rest behind Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain, with just three points separating them from second place, but they are also in the top eight of the Champions League.

With a visit to Liverpool at Anfield on the horizon, followed by a tantalising cup tie with Marseille later this month, Les Dogues will be looking to start 2025 on the right foot.

Having scored in each of their last 32 league matches at home - an average of just over two goals per game - they will go into Saturday's game on the back of their best such run in 65 years. Moreover, Lille's recent record against Nantes is one of dominance.

Nantes haven't beaten Lille in Ligue 1 since September 2015 - a winless run that stretches back 17 games, including no fewer than 13 defeats.

Their latest attempt to end that drought comes against the backdrop of some dismal results in recent months: Les Canaris have won just one of their 12 top-flight matches since the international break in September.

Seven defeats in that time has left Nantes just two points above the automatic relegation zone, with the halfway point of the season fast approaching.

They were thrashed 4-1 at Brest before Christmas and have conceded at least once in their last seven Ligue 1 away games - FCN's worst run since 2021 - and coach Antoine Kombouare is in danger of being sacked by the same club for the second time.

Despite their struggles in the league, Nantes have been Coupe de France specialists in recent years, reaching the final in two of the last three editions.

They booked their place in this season's last 32 with a 4-0 thrashing of Drancy JA last time out, with Matthis Abline scoring a brace, but their trip to Lille will be a very different test.

Recent Performance

Lille Ligue 1 form:DDWDWD

Lille form (all competitions):WDWWDW

Nantes Ligue 1 form:LLLDWL

Nantes form (all competitions):LLDWLW

Team News

Lille coach Bruno Genesio has been hit by a long list of injuries, with Tiago Santos, Samuel Umtiti, Nabil Bentaleb, Angel Gomes and Ethan Mbappe all out.

In addition, Mitchel Bakker is serving a suspension and will join a number of players who were absent from the side that started in Rouen, although regulars such as Alexsandro, Edon Zhegrova, Hakon Arnar Haraldsson and goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier are all expected to return.

Canadian striker Jonathan David, who finished in the top 10 in European league scoring last year, will lead the home side's attack amid speculation over his future.

Nantes, meanwhile, will travel north without prolific striker Tino Kadewere, who remains sidelined with a muscle injury.

His two goals in FCN's pre-Christmas Cup win should secure Matthis Abline a place up front, while Ignatius Ganago, Moses Simon and Mostafa Mohamed will also battle for places in the final third.

Possible starting lineup

Lille possible starting lineup:

Chevalier; Mandi, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson; Andre, Mukau; Zhegrova, Haraldsson, Sahraoui; David

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Carlgren; Amian, Castelletto, Pallois, Duverne, Cozza; Chirivella, Augusto, Lepenant; Abline, Simon