After a morale-boosting Breton derby win over Rennes, Lorient return to play on home turf against another regional rival in Nantes, who are struggling to stay afloat in the French top-flight.
Keep close tabs on French Ligue 1 predictions after viewing our key Lorient vs Nantes tips below.
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Lorient vs Nantes prediction: Les Merlus to edge past the Canaries
Key stats
- Lorient have conceded the second-highest goals inside the Ligue 1 top ten (30).
- Les Merlus are on an eight-match undefeated streak in the top division.
- Nantes have lost three successive gams across all competitions.
- The Canaries have won back-to-back away outings in Ligue 1 and Coupe de France.
Correct score prediction: Lorient 3-1 Nantes
Lorient extended their brilliant unbeaten run in Ligue 1 to eight matches with a fulfilling 2-0 win over Rennes, and will be delighted to return to play at Stade du Moustoir where they’re undefeated in seven straight outings.
While Olivier Pantaloni’s men have turned their season around in recent months, Nantes have been less than impressive on the other hand. Ahmed Kantari’s men have won only once in their previous 10 Ligue 1 games, restricting them from climbing out of the relegation zone.
Nantes are in dire need of points, but Lorient are well poised to win successive Breton derbies, although visiting the Moustoir has been a fruitful affair for the Canaries in recent trips.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Bookies back Lorient
- HOME: 17/20 (1.85) – 54%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.5%
- AWAY: 16/5 (4.20) – 23.8%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Lorient linger six points below the Ligue 1 top six, and their strong home form (W4, D4) could be an indicator of another victory. They are backed by odds of 17/20 (1.85), suggesting a 54% chance of triumph.
While all of Nantes’ recent wins have come on the road, bookies are skeptical about the visitors’ chances of a victory. The visitors are considered underdogs with odds of 16/5 (4.20) – a 23.8% win probability rate.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Lorient vs Nantes predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Nantes with the upper hand
Lorient are winless in four successive H2Hs, with the reverse fixture ending 1-1 in Nantes back in November. Nantes last tasted defeat in this derby back in 2022 (L3-2).
France Ligue 1 23/11/25
Nantes
Lorient
Europe Friendlies 07/08/24
Nantes
Lorient
France Ligue 1 24/02/24
Lorient
Nantes
France Ligue 1 23/09/23
Nantes
Lorient
Elite Club Friendlies 02/08/23
Lorient
Nantes
Lorient preview: More than a handful missing
Pantaloni misses the services of Muhammad Bamba, Panos Katseris, Zidane Yongwa, Souleymane Toure, Bandiougou Fadiga, Abdoulaye Faye and Aiyegun Tosin.
Predicted lineup: Mvogo (GK), Meite, Talbi, Silva, Le Bris, Cadiou, Abergel, Kouassi, Makengo, Karim & Dieng
Last five matches:
- Rennes 0-2 Lorient (Ligue 1)
- Monaco 1-3 Lorient (Ligue 1)
- Hauts Lyonnais 1-3 Lorient (Coupe de France)
- Lorient 1-1 Metz (Ligue 1)
- AS Le Gosier 0-7 Lorient (Coupe de France)
Nantes preview: Four absentees
Fabien Centonze, Amady Camara, Deiver Machado, Francis Coquelin and Louis Leroux make up the absentee list.
Predicted lineup: Lopes (GK), Cozza, Tati, Awaziem, Amian, Cabella, Sissoko, Mwanga, Mohamed, Lepenant & Abline
Last five matches:
- Nantes 1-4 Nice (Ligue 1)
- Nantes 1-2 Paris FC (Ligue 1)
- Nantes 1-1 Nice (3-5 on penalties) (Coupe de France)
- Marseille 0-2 Nantes (Ligue 1)
- Concarneau 3-5 Nantes (Coupe de France)
Player to watch: Pablo Pagis
Pagis is Lorient’s most essential threat in the forward line, with the forward netting six goals this Ligue 1 season, including the cherry-on-top late cameo strike in the 2-0 win over Rennes. Although that should be enough to earn him a starting spot, Pantaloni is expected to bench the forward once again.