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

sportsmole.co.uk, 26 August 2022, 13:50
After taking two points from their opening three Ligue 1 games, Nantes will attempt to claim their first win of the season against Toulouse on Sunday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season after collecting five points from their three matches.

Match preview

After losing 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the French Super Cup, Nantes began the league season with a goalless draw away to Angers.

They looked set to claim their first win of the campaign on matchday two after Moses Simon gave Nantes the lead in the first half against Lille, but Ismaily equalised in the 76th minute to ensure the contest ended all square.

An away contest followed against Marseille, and although Ludovic Blas scored from the spot, a Chancel Mbemba effort and Nicolas Pallois own goal condemned Nantes to a 2-1 defeat.

Having failed to win their final two league games of the 2021-22 campaign, Nantes enter Sunday's contest winless in their previous five Ligue 1 matches.

Despite struggling to find their best form, Nantes can draw inspiration from the fact they won both home matches against newly-promoted sides last term.

Meanwhile, newly-promoted Toulouse have fared well in their return to Ligue 1, picking up five points from their opening three matches.

After drawing 1-1 with Nice, they swept aside Troyes via a 3-0 scoreline thanks to an own goal from Yasser Larouci as well as strikes from Rafael Ratao and Rhys Healey.

Philippe Montanier's side were on their way to follow up their win over Troyes with another victory after Ratao and Thijs Dallinga grabbed a goal apiece to give their side a 2-1 lead in last weekend's encounter with Lorient.

However, an 80th-minute penalty was dispatched by Ibrahima Kone to deny Toulouse their first home win of the season.

Although they may have begun the season with consecutive home draws, they have the chance to win their opening two away Ligue 1 games for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign.

Nantes Ligue 1 form:

Nantes form (all competitions):

Toulouse Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Nantes are unable to call upon summer signing Moussa Sissoko, who has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury.

After coming off the bench in the second half against Marseille, Mostafa Mohamed could be given a starting place for Sunday's contest.

Mohamed could be joined in the frontline by Simon, who will be aiming to add to the one goal he has scored this season.

As for Toulouse, they are without Healey - who finished last season as Ligue 2 top scorer - with the forward sidelined for an extended period due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Nathan N'Goumou and Fares Chaibi are also ruled out for the hosts due to groin and abdominal injuries respectively.

Ratao will provide one of Toulouse's main goal threat, with the 26-year-old looking to find the net for a third consecutive game.

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lafont; Castelletto, Girotto, Pallois; Fabio, Blas, Moutoussamy, Chirivella, Merlin; Mohamed, Simon

Toulouse possible starting lineup:

Dupe; Desler, Rouault, Nicolaisen, Diarra; Dejaegere, Spierings, Van den Boomen; Ratao, Aboukhlal, Dallinga

We say: Nantes 1-1 Toulouse

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