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

Nantes were the latest victims of league-leaders Paris Saint-Germain in the league last time out, whereas Nice were victorious in Moldova against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa Conference League.

Match preview

Nantes are one of a few French clubs that were fighting on three fronts coming into February, however a poor run of form has seen them exit one competition as well as lose crucial ground in the Ligue 1 table.

A 3-0 home defeat to Italian giants Juventus ended Nantes' dreams of Europa League glory in the playoff round, with Angel Di Maria's hat-trick downing the French outfit following a 1-1 draw at Allianz Stadium in the first leg.

That loss included, Antoine Kombouare's men have lost four of their last five clashes in all competitions, with that singular success coming during their Coupe de France quarter-final against high-flying Lens.

With the ominous force which is Lionel Messi's PSG out of the tournament, Les Canaris find themselves with a real opportunity of securing back-to-back Coupe de France titles, but they must for now focus on Ligue 1 matters to improve on their current 14th-placed standing.

Nice are another club who have been flying the flag for France across the continent this term, with their European adventure looking in good shape to continue after a 1-0 away win at Sheriff in the first leg of their Europa Conference League round-of-16 tie.

Left-wing-back Ayoub Amraoui grabbed the only goal of the game in Moldova just before the half-time whistle, and Didier Digard's men held on to give themselves a second-leg advantage next Thursday.

Le Gym have also been impressive during their domestic matches of late, with Nice currently enjoying a nine-game unbeaten spell in Ligue 1 stretching back to January - a run which includes six wins that have boosted the club's chances of finishing in the top five.

Digard's charges are currently seventh in the French top flight, four points behind fifth-placed Rennes - a meeting between the two sides at the start of May looks set to be an extremely important contest in the context of both team's campaigns.

Nantes Ligue 1 form:

L

W

W

L

L

L

Nantes form (all competitions):

D

L

L

L

W

L

Nice Ligue 1 form:

W

W

W

D

W

D

Nice form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

D

W

Team News

Nantes suffered a huge injury blow in their Coupe de France win over Lens last week, with striker Andy Delort - who netted a brace in the match - sustaining a calf injury which will keep him out until the end of March.

A longer-term absentee for Les Canaris has been that of left-back Quentin Merlin - the 20-year-old has been sidelined due to a groin injury since January but is expected back within the next week.

Nice have a handful of former Premier League stars within their ranks and - unfortunately for them - in their medical room, with ex-Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey currently out of action with a hamstring injury.

On-loan Gunners winger Nicolas Pepe joins Ramsey on the sidelines because of a knee injury, with the Ivorian enjoying a productive spell in France before picking up that knock, scoring six times in 16 appearances.

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lafont; Castelletto, Girotto, Pallois; Centonze, Moutoussamy, Sissoko, Mollet, Hadjam; Blas, Ganago

Nice possible starting lineup:

Schmeichel; Ndayishimiye, Todibo, Dante; Lotomba, Rosario, Boudaoui, Thuram-Ulien, Amraoui; Laborde, Moffi

We say: Nantes 0-1 Nice

There is no shame in losing to PSG at Parc des Princes, but it is the long-term form of Nantes which will have fans worrying of an unexpected relegation battle this season.

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