Nantes vs Brest: A Clash of Mid-Table Contenders
After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, Nantes finds themselves in a relatively comfortable mid-table position after 15 matches. Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to reigning Ligue 1 champions PSG in their previous outing, the Canaries put up a strong fight and frustrated their opponents for a large portion of the match. A late strike from Randal Kolo Muani proved to be the difference, extending Nantes’ streak to just one win in six league outings (D1, L4).
Returning to the familiar surroundings of Beaujoire Stadium should provide a welcome boost for Nantes. In their last fixture at this venue, they became the first side this season to defeat Nice in the French top flight with a 1-0 victory. Nantes has been more successful on home soil, accumulating twice as many points (12) compared to their away record (6). With 13 home goals scored, they currently hold the joint-fourth highest tally in the competition.
Meanwhile, Brest will make the trip southeast after securing another impressive Ligue 1 victory against Metz, winning 1-0. This three-point haul propelled them up to fifth spot in the league standings, a position far above their pre-season expectations of potentially being involved in a relegation battle. Brest is currently unbeaten in their last four league matches (W3, D1) and boasts one of the best away records in Ligue 1 this season, providing them with added confidence heading into this fixture.
When playing away from home, only PSG has more wins than Brest’s four so far. However, Brest will need to be at their best to extend that tally as they have suffered defeat in their last four visits to Beaujoire Stadium, conceding at least twice on each occasion.
Players to watch in this match include Nantes’ forward Mostafa Mohamed, who has made an impact since joining the club in the summer. Mohamed has scored six goals in Ligue 1, with his last two coming in the 55th minute. On the other side, Romain Del Castillo is Brest’s top league scorer with five goals, although he has failed to find the net in any of his ten previous head-to-head encounters.
One interesting statistic to note is that Brest is the only side in Ligue 1 yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of a match this season.
As Nantes and Brest face off in this mid-table clash, both teams will be eager to secure the three points and continue their positive momentum. With Nantes’ strong home record and Brest’s impressive away form, this promises to be an intriguing battle between two evenly matched sides.