Nantes vs Angers: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 07 March 2026
The 25th round of the French Ligue 1 will take place on Saturday, March 7th, at the Beaujoire Stadium. In this "Western Derby," Nantes and Angers will face off. At the moment, the teams find themselves in contrasting situations: the hosts are desperately fighting for survival, while the visitors are looking to solidify their place in mid-table after a recent return to the top flight.
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Match preview
Nantes, under Moroccan manager Ahmed Kantari, are enduring an extremely tough spell, sitting 17th in the table with 17 points. The Canaries have managed just one win in their last five league matches, and narrowly lost to Lille (0-1) in the previous round. Their home form at the Beaujoire is also a concern: only two wins in 12 home games this season. The immense pressure of being so close to the relegation zone is forcing the coaching staff to focus on caution, with the main priority being to stabilize a defense that has already conceded over 40 goals.
Nantes are still missing several players, including Amady Kamara and Bamed Deuff (injuries), but some experienced midfielders have returned to the squad. Given that the team averages less than a goal per game, Kantari is likely to opt for a defensive setup, aiming to avoid being caught out on the counter. In their current state, even a single point from the derby would be a satisfactory result for Nantes, prompting the most pragmatic approach possible.
Angers are currently 12th (29 points) and are much more comfortable than their opponents. Nevertheless, Alexandre Dujeux’s side are also going through a slump: they have lost their last three matches, including a 0-2 defeat to Monaco in the previous round. The Black and Whites’ away record is their main weakness – just two wins on the road all season. After a confident start, Angers have begun to stall up front, scoring only once in their last three outings, which is forcing the manager to look for new attacking combinations.
Angers approach the derby with an almost full-strength squad. In the reverse fixture, Angers thrashed Nantes 4-1, but it’s unlikely they will be so open away from home this time. Angers traditionally struggle to convert chances on the road, averaging just 0.8 goals per away match. Most likely, Angers will play on the counter, relying on discipline and set pieces, and will be cautious not to open up against a motivated underdog.
Key facts and head-to-head stats
- Nantes have conceded first in seven of their last eight matches.
- Nantes have trailed at halftime in six of their last eight games.
- Angers have failed to score in their last three matches.
- There have been fewer than three goals scored in six of Angers’ last six matches.
- Six of the last seven matches between these teams at Nantes’ ground have featured fewer than three goals.
- The first-round match between these sides ended in a 4-1 win for Angers.
Probable lineups
- Nantes: Lopes – Awaziem, Yusuf, Cozza – Centonze, Lepenant, Kaba, Leroux, Machado – El Arabi, Ganago
- Angers: Koffi – Arcus, Camar, Lefort, Hanin – Belkebla, van den Boomen, Belkhdim – Raolisoa, Sbai, Koyalipou
Prediction
The upcoming derby promises to be tight and low-scoring. Nantes, gripped by the fear of another defeat, will play with maximum caution, while Angers rarely display attacking prowess away from home. Given both teams’ scoring stats and the huge price of a mistake for the hosts, don’t expect a goal fest. My prediction: under 2.5 total goals.
