Preview: Nantes vs. Brest - prediction, team news, lineups

Nantes face Brest on Wednesday in Ligue 1 and the hosts will be looking to build on an impressive 4-1 victory over Angers at the weekend, that helped them rise to 10th position.

Brest enter the fixture still in search of their first win of the season, and as a result of their slow start they occupy the relegation playoff spot in Ligue 1.

Match preview

© Reuters

Nantes experienced a close call with the drop last term, after having to play a relegation playoff with Toulouse, so they will be content with their start to this season that has seen them collect seven points from six games.

Three of those points came at the weekend, when Nantes thumped Angers 4-1 to hand their opponents their first defeat of the season, courtesy of goals from Andrei Girotto, Randal Kolo Muani and a brace from Ludovic Blas.

Impressively, Les Canaries scored more goals in the Angers encounter than they did in their other five Ligue 1 games this term.

However, Nantes will need to improve their home form as they have only won once in front of their own fans this season, and they have lost their last two home games - losing to Lyon 1-0 and Nice 2-0. If they are to continue to occupy a mid-table spot then they need to start picking up more points at Stade de la Beaujoire.

The hosts will be confident entering this fixture, having beaten Brest twice last season, courtesy of a resounding 3-1 home victory and a comfortable 4-1 away win in May.

© Reuters

Brest enter the fixture still without a victory this season; although they have drawn four times this season, failure to turn those draws into victories leaves them languishing in 18th position.

In their previous Ligue 1 outing, Brendan Chardonnet's superb header gave Brest the lead after Clermont had been reduced to 10 men, but Les Pirates could not hold on and Elbasan Rashani equalised to deny Brest the three points.

The away side can take positives from the fact they have scored in every Ligue 1 fixture this season, however they will also be concerned that they have conceded in every match, and they are yet to find the perfect balance between defence and attack.

Irvin Cardona is the only Brest player to score on at least two occasions this campaign, so they will be looking to the forward to add to that tally on Wednesday.

If the away side emerges victorious, not only will it be their first victory of the season but their first competitive win away at Nantes since February 2010, when they easily won courtesy of a 4-1 scoreline.

Team News

© Reuters

Nantes will still be without Anthony Limbombe, who is unavailable with a hamstring issue.

They saw the duo of Quentin Merlin and Dennis Appiah return from injury to feature in the matchday squad against Angers, although only Merlin made an appearance, coming on as an 81st-minute substitute, and both are likely to be on the bench again on Wednesday.

Head coach Antoine Kombouare gave Wylan Cyprien his first start for the club at the weekend, and the midfielder will be in from the off against Brest.

Brest have numerous injury concerns with Steve Mounie and Sebastien Cibois both still out.

They are also without Christophe Herelle and Paul Lasne, with the latter a long-term absentee.

Additionally, Juri Uronen is still unavailable so Ronael Pierre-Gabriel will continue at left-back after starting the last match in the position.

Nantes possible starting lineup:
Lafont; Corchia, Girotto, Pallois, Traore; Cyprien, Chirivella, Blas; Bukari, Simon, Kolo Muani

Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Duverne, Chardonnet, Brassier, Pierre-Gabriel; Agoume, Belkebla, Faivre; Honorat, Cardona, Badji

We say: Nantes 2-1 Brest

Nantes will be flying after their tremendous victory at the weekend and will aim to make it two consecutive wins on Wednesday.

After drawing their last two games, Brest will continue their search for that elusive win, but they have found Nantes a tough nut to crack in recent history and may come up short in this contest.