Amiens vs Nantes Predictions

Amiens were aided by a 39th minute Boubakary Soumaré red card last weekend as they beat Lille 1-0 at home. Obviously the sending off made it extremely difficult for Lille to impose their dominance but Amiens still had to battle hard for the victory. Amens finished 15th last year in Ligue 1 so them beating last year’s runners-up in Lille is quite the achievement no matter the circumstances. It was just Luka Elsner’s second game in charge of Amiens but the early signs have been good as they only narrowly lost to Nice in gameweek one after a late headed goal from Dante.

Amiens were strong at the back against Lille as they didn’t concede a single shot on target but they also matched this quality up top with their attacking four of Serhou Guirassy, Chadrac Akolo, Gaël Kakuta and Saman Ghoddos all linking up well and creating numerous chances. Both of Amiens conceded goals against Nice were from corners so if they can improve on that, they should be able to get another solid result against Nantes.

Nantes have had a rather slow start to the campaign so far under Christian Gourcuff. They have picked up just one point from their opening two games, scoring only a single goal via Lille’s Mehmet Çelik firing the ball into his own net. They created some chances against Marseille last week but Nantes were very much spared in this game as Dario Benedetto missed a penalty on the half hour mark. Marseille’s goalkeeper Steve Mandanda did finish as man of the match though after a string of good saves so Nantes definitely could have taken something from the match. 

Nantes didn’t win any of their final three games last season and it looks as if they’ve continued that form into this campaign. Their clean sheet against Marseille was only their second in their last fourteen competitive matches. Nantes have also won just one of their last seven competitive away matches which won’t make great reading for the Canaries’ fans. 

Nantes have won four of their last five clashes with Amiens but with the Unicorns impressing in their last two matches, we’re backing the home side to get the victory here. Amiens are unbeaten in their last nine competitive home matches and this record should be pivotal for them in getting the three points. Nantes kept Marseille’s ‘keeper busy last week with numerous shots but many of them were speculative long range efforts, rather than anything created out of intricate team play. We think that Amiens’ Régis Gurtner should be able to match Mandanda’s performance here if Nantes follow that pattern so we’re backing Amiens to win 1-0.