Preview: Nantes vs. Monaco
After booking their place in the Coupe de France final earlier this week, Nantes can end their six-match winless run in Ligue 1 when they welcome Monaco to Stade de la Beaujoire on Sunday.
A week ago, La Maison Jaune lost 3-0 at home to Reims, putting them four points above the relegation zone, while Monaco moved to within three points of Marseille and Lens for a Champions League berth, edging Strasbourg 4-3.
The 2022-23 campaign has been a tale of two seasons for Antoine Kombouare and his Nantes side, who have a chance to defend their Coupe de France crown but are on a downward trajectory in the French top flight.
They have looked great in win-or-go-home scenarios, capturing their last 11 Coupe de France fixtures, but domestically it has been a struggle, with Nantes losing two of their previous three league games at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Three of their last five home fixtures in the league have been losses, which is as many as they incurred in their previous 25 domestic outings.
As Les Canaris prepare to face Toulouse at the end of April for the Coupe de France title, their form in the following few weeks could determine whether they avoid relegation, with their next four league fixtures after Sunday coming against the four teams directly behind them in the table (Auxerre, Troyes, Brest and Strasbourg).
Nantes may be one of the most challenging Ligue 1 sides to come back against, as they have won five of six matches in all competitions this year when scoring first, with the other result being a draw, but since defeating Lorient (1-0) in February, La Maison Jaune have led for a mere 22 minutes domestically.
Throughout the league campaign, Nantes have looked hesitant and unsure in front of goal, failing to score in 11 fixtures, while they have been shut out in 21 home games against Les Monegasques in this competition.
In a hot and cold domestic season for Monaco, the Principality side are back in the hunt for a Champions League spot, winning consecutive league fixtures.
Counter-attacks have been their bread and butter, and they have the firepower to make those chances count, scoring the second-most goals in Ligue 1 this season.
While Philippe Clement’s men have looked somewhat unpredictable in this competition, they have been much sharper in the attacking third of late, netting six times in their last two games after failing to score in two of their previous three.
They are unbeaten away from home in all competitions this year, suffering just one road defeat in Ligue 1 so far this season.
During the Dmitry Rybolovlev era as the owner of Monaco, this team have had their way with La Maison Jaune, winning 15 of the 22 matches they have played against them since the Russian bought the club.
At times, it is hard to notice given how streaky they have been, but Monaco actually have the best record in Ligue 1 since the season resumed in December, claiming 30 points domestically and a +13 goal difference following the conclusion of the World Cup.
Nantes Ligue 1 form:
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Nantes form (all competitions):
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Monaco Ligue 1 form:
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Monaco form (all competitions):
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We say: Nantes 1-2 Monaco
These two teams have been challenging to read this season, and they have each been streaky at times in 2022-23.
That being said, Monaco have looked much sharper and calmer away from home and should be able to exploit a Nantes side who seem to be feeling the pressure of potential relegation at this stage of the campaign.