Nantes are 17th in the Ligue 1 table with two matches left to play. The Canaries are staring relegation to Ligue 2 in the face once more.
On Saturday, Nantes will visit Lille in desperate need of a win. They are just one point behind 16th-place Auxerre. Even a draw could lift Nantes out of the relegation zone.
⚽️ The best moment of last weekend#LOSCOM pic.twitter.com/WmyxriZs5E— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) May 22, 2023
⚽️ The best moment of last weekend#LOSCOM pic.twitter.com/WmyxriZs5E
The problem for Nantes this weekend is Lille. Les Dogues are fifth and trying to hold onto qualification to the Europa League for next term. Lille are one point ahead of sixth-place Rennes.
Les Dogues are unbeaten in 15 straight matches against Nantes in all competitions. The reverse fixture saw the teams draw 1-1. Nantes opened the scoring through Moses Simon in the 28th minute. Lille equalised in the 76th-minute courtesy of Ismaily.
Nantes are in terrible form ahead of matchday 37. They failed to score in their last four Ligue 1 fixtures. Nantes are winless in six straight fixtures in Ligue 1. Only two points were taken from Nantes’ last six matches in the division.
Lille picked up 11 points from their last 18 points on offer. They scored eight goals and conceded four times across the last six matches. Les Dogues went unbeaten in their last two fixtures in Ligue 1, picking up a nil-nil draw with Monaco and a 2-1 win over Marseille.
Lille won their last four matches at home in Ligue 1. Forty of Lille’s 63 points this season came at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
Nantes failed to win their last six away matches in Ligue 1. They have only won twice away from home this term. Just 13 of Nantes’ 33 points this season were obtained on the road.
Angel Gomes will miss the match for Lille due to a suspension. Fellow midfielder Andre Gomes is nursing an injury. Andre Gomes will miss the match and the final game of the season. Midfielder Edon Zhegrova could return to the squad following a muscle injury.
Nantes appointed Pierre Aristouy as caretaker manager on May 9. Aristouy has six points left to play for. Nantes must win both games to have hope of remaining in Ligue 1.
The caretaker manager won’t have Ignatius Ganago, who is ruled out for the rest of the season. Midfielder Pedro Chirivella is also out for the final two games following a groin injury.
Lille are playing well, much better than Nantes, and should post a win on Saturday. Les Dogues should win 2-0 to stay in the top five and on pace to qualify for the Europa League.