Nantes vs. Angers Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 4 May 2025 - bettingexpert
As the Ligue 1 season reaches its climax, Nantes and Angers will clash at the Stade de la Beaujoire on 4 May 2025. This match kicks off at 14:00 and holds significant importance for both teams who are battling to escape the relegation zone.
Nantes, currently in 14th position with 32 points, are just two points ahead of Angers, who sit in 15th place. This close proximity in league standings promises a fiercely competitive contest.
Referee Thomas Leonard, known for distributing an average of 3.6 yellow cards per game, will ensure the match runs smoothly. Despite Nantes being the bookmakers’ favourite with odds of 1.90, a draw at 3.36 is a recommended bet. Given the history of tight matches between these teams, a balanced encounter is expected.
Antoine Kombouaré’s Nantes, backed by their home support, have scored in 73% of their home games this season, whereas Angers have shown resilience, especially in the latter stages of matches. Keep an eye out for top scorers Matthis Abline and Esteban Lepaul.
All eyes will be on how both teams handle the pressure in this crucial tie, which may well decide their fate in Ligue 1.
Nantes vs Angers Prediction & Betting tip
| Nantes vs Angers Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Draw | 3.36 |
- Both teams are in close proximity on the league table with only a two-point difference, indicating a balanced matchup.
- Recent encounters between these two sides have often ended in draws, suggesting another tight contest.
- With both teams eager to avoid relegation, expect a highly competitive game where neither side wants to give an inch.
Considering these factors, a draw increasingly looks like the likely outcome for this match.
Nantes vs Angers Odds
| Nantes vs Angers Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Nantes | 1.90 |
| Draw | 3.36 |
| Angers | 4.20 |
Nantes is the bookmaker’s favourite to win, which isn’t surprising given their home advantage and slightly better form. However, the odds for a draw (3.36) are intriguing, considering recent matches between these teams often end level. Angers, while not favoured, offers a potentially lucrative return at 4.20, which could tempt some punters willing to back the underdogs. Expect a tight game with closely matched teams.
Nantes Team Analysis
Nantes Recent Performance
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantes | Toulouse | 2025-04-27 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Nantes | Paris Saint-Germain | 2025-04-22 | Ligue 1 | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Rennes | Nantes | 2025-04-18 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Nice | Nantes | 2025-04-04 | Ligue 1 | 1-2 (Win) |
| Le Havre | Nantes | 2025-03-30 | Ligue 1 | 3-2 (Loss) |
Nantes have displayed a mixed bag of performances lately, illustrated by a recent form of DDLWL.
Scoring 1.20 goals on average in their last five matches shows they can find the net, but with 1.5 goals conceded per game for the season, defensive lapses have been an issue. Securing just one clean sheet in these recent games, their defensive solidity will be crucial if they want to maintain their slight upper hand over Angers.
Their impressive 2-1 win against Nice highlights their potential, but inconsistency remains a hurdle as they aim to climb higher in the standings.
Nantes Key Players
Nantes’ key players include their top scorer, Matthis Abline, who has netted 8 goals this season. Abline will look to lead the attack alongside Moses Simon, a crucial forward expected to exploit Angers’ defense with his pace and dribbling. The midfield trio of Pedro Chirivella, Johann Lepenant, and Louis Leroux will be essential in controlling the tempo of the game and providing defensive cover. The experienced Nicolas Pallois anchors the backline, offering stability with his leadership.
Expected lineup for Nantes:
- Goalkeeper: Alban Lafont
- Defenders: Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nicolas Pallois, Nathan Zeze
- Midfielders: Kelvin Amian, Louis Leroux, Pedro Chirivella, Johann Lepenant, Quentin Merlin
- Forwards: Matthis Abline, Moses Simon
Key individual battles to watch will include Abline against Angers’ centre-backs and Nicolas Pallois’ leadership to counter Esteban Lepaul.
Nantes Suspensions & Injuries
Nantes faces some challenges with suspensions and injuries, which could impact their performance against Angers.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Adel Mahamoud | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Francis Coquelin | Hamstring Injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Saidou Sow | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for season |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus Coco | Red card | 2 matches left |
| Douglas Augusto | Yellow cards | 1 match left |
These absences, including the midfield stability generally provided by Coquelin and the suspension of Douglas Augusto, could weaken Nantes’ midfield strength and depth. The team will need to rely on their remaining squad to fill these gaps and maintain their competitive edge. This could lead to more pressure on Pedro Chirivella and Johann Lepenant to control the midfield, as well as a tighter defense anchored by Nicolas Pallois.
Nantes Tactics and Formation
Nantes Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 5-3-2
- Forwards: Matthis Abline, Moses Simon
- Midfield Trio: Louis Leroux, Pedro Chirivella, Johann Lepenant
- Defensive Line-Up: Jean-Charles Castelletto, Nicolas Pallois, Nathan Zeze
- Wing Play: Kelvin Amian, Nicolas Cozza
Nantes are likely to adopt a 5-3-2 formation under Antoine Kombouaré. This setup focuses on a strong defensive unit and strategic wing play. Matthis Abline and Moses Simon will be at the forefront of the attack, supported by a midfield trio of Leroux, Chirivella, and Lepenant. Nantes’ defense, anchored by Pallois, boasts five players ready to absorb Angers’ offensive pushes. The team’s notable strategy revolves around exploiting the wings with Amian and Cozza contributing to both defense and attack.
Angers Team Analysis
Angers Recent Performance
Angers’ recent form has been quite mixed, recording 1 win and 4 losses in their last 5 matches. They’ve struggled to maintain consistency, hinting at defensive vulnerabilities and challenges up front.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angers | Lille | 2025-04-27 | Ligue 1 | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Nice | Angers | 2025-04-20 | Ligue 1 | 2-1 (Loss) |
| Angers | Montpellier | 2025-04-13 | Ligue 1 | 2-0 (Win) |
| PSG | Angers | 2025-04-05 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Angers | Rennes | 2025-03-30 | Ligue 1 | 0-3 (Loss) |
Throughout these matches, Angers have managed just one clean sheet in their last 5 games and scored an average of 0.60 goals per game. Their solitary win against Montpellier showcased moments of quality, but they’ve largely failed to capitalize on their chances.
Angers Key Players
For Angers, the key figures likely to make an impact include forward Esteban Lepaul, their top scorer with 7 goals this season.
Expected lineup for Angers:
- Goalkeeper: Yahia Fofana
- Defenders: Carlens Arcus, Jordan Lefort, Abdoulaye Bamba, Florent Hanin
- Midfielders: Zinedine Ould Khaled, Yassin Belkhdim, Jim Allevinah, Himad Abdelli, Zinedine Ferhat
- Attacker: Esteban Lepaul
Key battles to watch involve Lepaul against Nantes’ central defenders, Jean-Charles Castelletto and Nicolas Pallois. Additionally, midfielders like Himad Abdelli and Jim Allevinah will look to challenge Nantes’ backline and create scoring opportunities. These players will need to step up to overcome recent form issues and push for crucial points.
Angers Suspensions & Injuries
Angers have several players out with injuries, which could significantly impact their performance in the match against Nantes.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Sidiki Cherif | Thigh injury | Out for season |
| Emmanuel Biumla | Muscle injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Haris Belkebla | Foot injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Pierrick Capelle | Muscle injury | Mid May 2025 |
| Bamba Dieng | Unknown | Mid May 2025 |
| Jean-Eudes Aholou | Knee injury | Mid May 2025 |
With these key players sidelined, Angers might struggle to field their optimal squad. These absences will put additional pressure on the remaining players to fill in the gaps, particularly in the midfield and defensive areas, potentially affecting team dynamics and strategy.
Angers Tactics and Formation
Angers’ Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Esteban Lepaul (7 goals this season)
- Key Wingers: Jim Allevinah, Zinedine Ferhat
Angers are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Yahia Fofana between the sticks. The defensive line will feature Carlens Arcus, Jordan Lefort, Abdoulaye Bamba, and Florent Hanin.
Zinedine Ould Khaled and Yassin Belkhdim are poised to anchor the midfield, providing a shield for the back line while also facilitating the transition from defense to attack.
Jim Allevinah and Zinedine Ferhat will occupy the wings, offering creativity and width, while Himad Abdelli operates just behind the center forward, Esteban Lepaul.
Given their injuries, Angers will rely heavily on their attacking quartet to exploit Nantes’ defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the closing stages of the match where they have found success this season.
Nantes vs Angers Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angers | Nantes | 2024-09-22 | Ligue 1 | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Nantes | Angers | 2023-07-23 | Club Friendlies | 1-0 (Win) |
| Nantes | Angers | 2023-06-03 | Ligue 1 | 1-0 (Win) |
| Angers | Nantes | 2023-02-08 | Coupe de France | 1-1 (Penalty shoot-out: 2-4) |
| Angers | Nantes | 2022-08-07 | Ligue 1 | 0-0 (Draw) |
Nantes have had the upper hand in their recent encounters against Angers, winning three out of their last five meetings, including one through a penalty shoot-out in the Coupe de France.
However, looking at the head-to-head statistics, tight matches and draws have also been a recurring theme.
Expect another closely contested game as both teams fight for crucial points.
Odds accurate as of 05.02.2025 14:02, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
