Seeking their first win of the 2025-26 campaign, Nantes take on Auxerre in round three of the Ligue 1 on Saturday. Football Whispers’ Nantes vs Auxerre prediction takes a look at both teams and examines their chances of claiming all three points at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
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Nantes vs Auxerre prediction: Nantes to come out on top
Key stats
- There have been fewer than three goals scored in six of the last eight meetings between Nantes and Auxerre since November 2012.
- Nantes have failed to win seven of their most recent eight Ligue 1 matches, losing four and picking up three draws since April 18.
- Auxerre have managed just one win from their last five league games while losing three and claiming one draw since the start of May.
- Having conceded the opening goal in five of their last six matches, Nantes have gone on to lose each of those six games since a 2-0 victory over Laval in their opening pre-season outing on July 12.
Correct score prediction: Nantes 2-1 Auxerre
While Nantes have stumbled into the new campaign, their home record in this fixture will give them plenty of optimism heading into Saturday’s clash. Auxerre were outplayed and outclassed in their first away game of the season last time out and we see them struggling at the Stade de la Beaujoire once again.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Nantes backed by bookies
- HOME: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.5%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- AWAY: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Despite being left empty-handed in their opening two matches, the bookmakers have Nantes as favourites to secure all three points this weekend, indicated by their 43.5% win probability.
Auxerre have been given a 31.3% possibility of picking up the win at the Stade de la Beaujoire, while there is also a 31.3% chance that both teams settle for a share of the spoils.
Nantes were left defeated by the same scoreline for a second straight game last Sunday, where they fell 1-0 against Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau.
Auxerre, meanwhile, were denied successive Ligue 1 wins for the first time since April last weekend, when they fell to a 3-1 loss against Nice at the Allianz Riviera Stadium.
While we take a closer look at both teams, you can take a look at some of the best picks and predictions in today’s free football betting tips by FootballWhispers.
Most recent H2Hs: Nantes leads the way
Nantes holds the upper hand in this fixture across the last 10 meetings between the two teams, having picked up five wins and two draws since August 2008.
Luis Castro’s men are unbeaten in each of their last seven home games against Auxerre, picking up five wins and two draws since a 4-1 defeat in September 2002.
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
Auxerre
Nantes
France Ligue 1 25/08/24
Nantes
Auxerre
France Ligue 1 16/04/23
Auxerre
Nantes
France Ligue 1 01/01/23
Nantes
Auxerre
France Cup 23/01/18
Nantes
Auxerre
Nantes preview: Aiming to get off and running
Nantes were left empty-handed once again as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Strasbourg at the Stade de la Meinau last Sunday.
Following a goalless first half, Dutch forward Emanuel Emegha came up clutch for Strasbourg as he netted his first goal of the season in the 81st minute to hand them a deserved victory.
Castro’s side have now lost each of their last six matches across all competitions, including a narrow 1-0 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the season curtain-raiser on August 17.
While Nantes are one of just two sides yet to find the back of the net this season, they will be backing themselves to find their feet this weekend as they take on an opposing side who have failed to win their last seven visits to the Stade de la Beaujoire since September 2002.
Predicted lineup: Lopes (GK), Amian, Awaziem, Tati, Cozza, Coquelin, Lepenant, Leroux, Benhattab, Mohamed & Guirassy
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
D
Auxerre
1
Nantes
1
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
L
Angers
1
Nantes
0
France Ligue 1 27/04/25
D
Toulouse
0
Nantes
0
France Ligue 1 22/04/25
D
PSG
1
Nantes
1
France Ligue 1 18/04/25
L
Rennes
2
Nantes
1
Auxerre preview: Donovan Leon ruled out
Auxerre were sent crashing back to earth in the new Ligue 1 campaign last Saturday, when they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Nice at the Allianz Riviera Stadium.
Lassine Sinayoko struck in the 21st minute to cancel out Jeremie Boga’s early opener, but an own goal from Clement Akpan and Tarem Moffi’s 76th-minute strike saw Nice secure their first home win of the season.
This came just six days after Auxerre kicked off the 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Lorient courtesy of a second-half strike from Sinayoko.
While they will be looking to bounce back this weekend, head coach Christophe Pelissier will be unable to call upon the services of Donovan Leon, who is suspended after picking up a red card against Nice last time out.
Predicted lineup: De Percin (GK), Osho, Sierralta, Akpa, Senaya, Owusu, Danois, Mensah, Casimir, Osman & Sinayoko
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
D
Nantes
1
Auxerre
1
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
L
Le Havre
2
Auxerre
1
France Ligue 1 27/04/25
W
Lens
0
Auxerre
4
France Ligue 1 20/04/25
L
Lille
3
Auxerre
1
France Ligue 1 13/04/25
L
Lyon
3
Auxerre
1
Player to watch – Lassine Sinayoko
Sinayoko has picked up right where he dropped off last season and the Auxerre striker will be one to keep a close eye on at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
The Malian international finished off the 2024-25 campaign in style, racking up three goals and four assists in the final six games to help Auxerre secure an 11th-placed finish.
Sinayoko was the hero in the season curtain-raiser on August 17, when he netted the only goal of the game to hand Pelissier's men a 1-0 victory over Lorient, six days before hitting the target in the 3-1 loss versus Nice.
The 25-year-old should spearhead Auxerre’s attack once again, forming the front three with Josue Casimir and Brighton loanee Ibrahim Osman, who assisted each of his two goals.