Vitre vs Nantes Predictions

Nantes currently sit comfortably enough away from the relegation battle that they can really try to enjoy a cup run to finish off what has been a rather disappointing season. They are 14th in the league with nothing of note really to play for with the top ten just out of reach and survival almost guaranteed. They have had a pretty good cup run so far with seven goals scored and just one conceded in their last three rounds which saw them surpass third tier ESSG (1-0), Ligue 2 Chateauroux (4-1) and Ligue 1 Toulouse (2-0).

They haven’t been able to keep up that attacking potency in the league though as they have scored just once in their last three games. All the games were against bottom eight opposition but the Canaries really threw away a golden chance for nine points as they sagged to a loss, win and a draw. The latter result came at the weekend against bottom of the table Guingamp (0-0) was particularly disappointing as Valentin Rongier missed a 96th minute VAR penalty. This was a great chance for the team to get consecutive league wins for the first time since November but Marc-Aurèle Caillard’s right palm denied them that in the dying embers of the game. This means they have only won two of their last nine league games but there have at least been signs of improvement as they have both come in their last four matches. 

Vitré have been plagued by draws this season as they have seen four more of their games finish level than anyone else in the league (12). So even though they are currently on a miraculous unbeaten run of seven games in the league, they currently sit 12th, keeping out of the relegation zone on goal difference. They have only lost four games this season, the same number as top of the table Briochin, but due to their complete lack of ability when it comes to finishing off matches, they are currently threatened by the drop. 

They have scored seven goals in their last three games but have only won one of them as they squeezed past Duchere (3-2) in the previous round of the cup. In all competitions, they have only lost one of their last 15 games but with just five wins, four in the cup, they have really stagnated this season. They have scored the third least number of goals in the league with just 19 after 19 games but will hope that their potency in the last few matches can carry them to a cupset here. 

Nantes have done very well in the cup matches so far with lower-league teams not proving to be tripwires for the Canaries. They have been very professional in their performances and that’s what we’re predicting here again. Vitré have a pretty solid home record of four wins and two draws in their last six games at the Stade Francis Le Basser and with their recent upturn in goalscoring ability, we’re backing them to get on the scoresheet, just as they did in July when these teams met in a pre-season friendly (2-1). However, with Nantes’ Ligue 1 pedigree and their form of three wins in their last six games, we’re going to back the Canaries to win 3-1 as they have been impressive so far in the competition.