Ligue 1 | Gameweek 21

Feb 7, 2025 at 6pm UK

Stade de la Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau

Nantes vs Brest

Match preview

After four draws to start the year, Nantes extended their unbeaten run to five games with a vital 2-1 win away at Reims last weekend.

Leaders PSG are the only other side still unbeaten in Ligue 1 since the turn of the year, and Antoine Kombouare's side's run of just one defeat in eight matches has eased the pressure on their previously under-fire coach.

However, Nantes need more wins to distance themselves from the drop zone, as they sit just one point above a Rennes side who spent €85m (£70m) in January and will be hoping that translates into points.

There is a three-point gap between the Canaries and Saint-Etienne, who occupy the relegation play-off spot, while Montpellier and Le Havre continue to struggle.

Nantes' home form has been poor this season, but they have often been on the wrong end of narrow defeats and draws, and although they have taken just 10 points from their nine games at the Beaujoire this term, they have scored in eight of those games and conceded just 12.

Their next opponents, Brest, will not be the most welcoming of guests, however, as Nantes have failed to win any of their five previous head-to-head encounters, losing four, scoring twice and conceding 10.

Brest's rapid rise as a club has coincided with an improvement in their results in this fixture, with four wins in their last five against Nantes equalling their tally in the previous 24 meetings.

That rise was underlined last week when Brest were drawn in the Champions League knockout stages with PSG, much to their disappointment.

Brest's record against PSG is a dreadful one, and it has also robbed them of the chance to play another of Europe's foreign elite in what will feel more like a Ligue 1 tie over two legs.

To add insult to injury, PSG gained a huge psychological advantage ahead of the tie by beating Eric Roy's side 5-2 in the league last weekend.

Brest's drop in form this term can be attributed to their poor defensive record, with Roy's side conceding just 34 goals last term to finish third in the league, but they have conceded more this term after just 20 games (36), meaning they have conceded more goals than any club outside the relegation zone in Ligue 1.

Although Brest will not have to face the reigning champions again in the league, the result leaves them seven points adrift of the top four, but a return to Europe is not out of the question as Lyon are just two points clear in seventh.

Brest's first game of the weekend will allow them to put pressure on Lyon, as a win here will see them move into the top seven, and a 2-1 Coupe de France last-16 win over Troyes on Tuesday helped them regain some of the confidence lost in the defeat to PSG.

Brest, who have won back-to-back away games in Ligue 1, could make it three in a row for the first time in 14 months when their third win in that run came at Nantes.

Recent Performance

Nantes Ligue 1 form:LDDDDW

Nantes form (all competitions):DDLDDW

Brest Ligue 1 form:WLWWWL

Brest form (all competitions):WLWLLW

Team News

The Nantes faithful will be hoping to see the debuts of two new signings, Francis Coquelin and Meschack Elia, who arrived late in the window from Villarreal and Young Boys respectively.

The hosts will be without Nicolas Pallois, who is suspended for accumulating yellow cards, while strikers Tino Kadewere, Douglas Augusto and Nathan Zeze are all out injured.

Alban Lafont and Fabien Centonze have been out of the squad recently but have not moved on in the transfer window, unlike Jean-Philippe Gbamin, who completed a permanent move to Zurich this week.

Despite the recent return of Julien Le Cardinal, the bulk of Brest's injuries remain at the back, with full-back trio Jordan Amavi, Massadio Haidara and Bradley Locko all sidelined.

Midfielder Mahdi Camara is suspended, while Jonas Martin is still recovering from a muscle problem and is not expected to return until later this month.

Roy has often rotated his side this season, especially around Champions League games, and could do the same again, but he has not settled on a particular XI for Europe, with numerous changes made to both squads.

Possible starting lineup

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Amian, Castelletto, Sow, Cozza; Pedro Chirivella, Lepenant; Coco, Mohamed, Simon; Abline

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Lala, Chardonnet, Coulibaly, Zogbe; Lees-Melou, Magnetti, Faivre; Del Castillo, Ajorque, Sima