Market: Reims win
Odds: 4/5 @
Looking to extend on their European charge this weekend, Reims will welcome Nantes to the Stade Auguste-Delaune on Sunday afternoon.
Starting with the hosts, although Reims might have eventually fallen short in their bid to book a top-half finish last season, Will Still’s side are enjoying a history-making flurry this time around. Although Les Rouges might have watched their Coupe de France adventure come to an abrupt end last week following penalties heartbreak at the hands of second-tier outfit Sochaux, the former Beerschot boss should still find the mood in his camp at a continued high. Making a real Ligue 1 statement on January 13th as they stormed their way to a famous 3-1 romp away at Monaco, Reims find themselves sat in the driving seat to clinch a shock European return in 2024. Smelling a potential opportunity here, Sunday’s hosts will be excited by their continued success in front of their own supporters. Last seen at the Stade Auguste-Delaune picking up a gritty 1-0 win against Le Havre, Still’s European dreamers have won three of their last four Ligue 1 battles on home soil.
As for the visitors, also crashing out of the Coupe de France last week following a shock 1-0 defeat at home against second-tier outfit Laval, Nantes find themselves at the heart of a real domestic crisis. Signing off 2023 with a 1-0 defeat away at Nantes, Jocelyn Gourvennec s side have lost five of their previous six domestic appearances a run that stems all the way back to December 2nd. It should also be highlighted, the Canaries have lost all of their last four top-flight showdowns away from the Stade de la Beaujoire. Facing what will be a tough challenge on Sunday afternoon, Nantes will also be worried by a nightmare record against the top-six contenders. Including a 1-0 loss when they welcomed Reims to town for their reverse Ligue 1 battle on November 5th, they have lost all of their previous three meetings by an aggregate score of 5-0. Given what has been a huge recent gulf in class, we are backing a home victory here.
Bet: Reims 4/5 to beat Nantes in Sunday s Ligue 1 showdown @
