Preview: Nantes v. Paris

A LOOK AT THE TABLE

Following their 3-1 win over LOSC at the Parc des Princes last time out, Paris Saint-Germain continue to lead the way in Ligue 1. Going into their trip to La Beaujoire, Les Parisiens have avoided defeat in each of their last 16 league matches, recording 13 wins and three defeats along the way, meaning that they currently sit at the top of the table with 50 points, 11 more than second-placed OGC Nice and 12 more than third-placed AS Monaco.

As for FC Nantes, Les Canaris got back to winning ways last week to put an end to a run of six league games without a win, including five defeats. In their 2-1 victory away to Toulouse FC, the side from western France managed to find the back of the net for the first time in four games across all competitions, and despite sitting in a seemingly safe 12th spot in the table with 22 points, FCN are just three points ahead of the relegation play-off spot and will therefore be relying on the support of their fans to cause an upset against Paris.

THE TWO TEAMS' CURRENT FORM IN NUMBERS

On Saturday, Les Rouge et Bleu will be looking to make it 13 wins from their last 15 Ligue 1 outings, having won 12 and drawn two already. The capital club, who are as comfortable on home soil as they are on the road, are unbeaten in their last 17 away games in the league, registering 13 wins and four draws in that time, giving them the longest ongoing unbeaten streak in Europe's top five leagues. In fact, if they avoid defeat tomorrow night, Paris will equal their longest-ever run without losing away from home in Ligue 1, which they achieved between April 2015 and February 2016. There should be a fair share of goals at La Beaujoire, too, as Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least once in each of their last 30 meetings with Les Jaune et Vert across all competitions, making for an average of 2.5 goals per game across that period.

Meanwhile, Nantes's win away to Toulouse last weekend was their first league victory since they beat Nice 1-0 on 2nd December 2023, as well as being the first time that FCN had scored at least twice in a single Ligue 1 game since a 2-0 win over Montpellier on 22nd October 2023. While Paris's and Nantes's duels with each other are often goal-heavy, they almost always go either one way or the other, as none of the last 24 clashes between the two teams has ended in a draw, with Paris winning 21 of them and Nantes winning three. Incidentally, this is the longest drawless run between two clubs in French top-flight history.

THE OPPOSITION'S STRENGTH

Jocelyn Gourvennec's side mainly set up in a 4-3-3 formation. In goal, first-choice keeper Alban Lafont picked up an injury last time out and will therefore have to make way for either Denis Petrić or Rémy Descamps, the latter of whom has only just returned to the fold. While Bastien Meupiyou is already a confirmed absentee in central defence, another returning player is set to come to Les Jaune et Vert's aid in this position: Eray Cömert. The Switzerland international could well start the match alongside 18-year-old Nathan Zézé, although Nicolas Pallois is also a credible option.

In the absence of Kelvin Amian, Jean-Charles Castelletto is expected to start at right-back, with the Cameroon international operating on the opposite side to Jean-Kévin Duverne, who is likely to start at left-back. However, former Montpellier man Nicolas Cozza, who joined from VfL Wolfsburg in the winter transfer window, will also be staking his claim for a place in the starting XI if the Nantes coaching staff opt for a back five.

Les Canaris' indispensable captain Pedro Chirivella will naturally be present in midfield and, barring any surprises, will be joined there by Moussa Sissoko and Douglas Augusto, who returns from injury, with Samuel Moutoussamy still looking doubtful.

Up front, Nantes's top scorer Mostafa Mohamed is expected to line up in the centre-forward role. With the presence of the explosive left winger Moses Simon appearing uncertain, the Egyptian striker could instead be accompanied by Tino Kadewere and Marcus Coco, both of whom are seemingly above Bénie Traoré in the pecking order, while Florent Mollet wasn't even named on the team sheet for his side last week. Also unlikely to feature are Stredair Appuah, Matthis Abline and Abdoul Kader Bamba, while Ignatius Ganago is still out injured.