Nantes need a positive result on the final day of the Ligue 1 campaign against Montpellier at the Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau to secure their top-flight status on Saturday, 17 May. Read our Ligue 1 predictions for the contest below.
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Nantes vs Montpellier prediction: Motivated hosts are worth backing
Key Stats
- Nantes beat Montpellier 3-1 when the teams last met back in August.
- Montpellier have failed to score in six of their last seven away assignments in Ligue 1.
- 100% of Nantes’ last five home matches in the league have featured under 2.5 goals.
- Montpellier have collected a league-high 90 cards in Ligue 1 this term.
Correct score prediction: Nantes 1-0 Montpellier
Nantes need a positive result to ensure they remain in Ligue 1, though they have scored only two goals in their last five home games combined, so expect any margin of victory to be slim.
Place your bet on this prediction at bet365.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Nantes are clear favourites
- HOME: 1/2 (1.50) – 66.7%
- DRAW: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
- AWAY: 5/1 (6.00) – 16.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Nantes are two points clear of the drop zone ahead of the final day of the Ligue 1 campaign, so the 1/2 favourites still have work to do against Montpellier.
Montpellier are guaranteed to finish bottom and the division’s worst team and 5/1 underdogs haven’t won a league fixture since 26 January. View more of our free football predictions and Ligue 1 analysis on our dedicated page.
Most recent H2Hs: Nantes have the better record
Nantes have won two of their last three meetings with Montpellier and won 3-1 in the reverse fixture between the clubs in August.
France Ligue 1 31/08/24
Montpellier
Nantes
France Ligue 1 26/04/24
Montpellier
Nantes
France Ligue 1 22/10/23
Nantes
Montpellier
France Ligue 1 20/05/23
Nantes
Montpellier
France Ligue 1 15/01/23
Montpellier
Nantes
Nantes preview: Three out for hosts
Meschack Elia, Sekou Doucoure and Saidou Sow are out injured for Nantes. Les Canaris have drawn three of their last four league games, though they will be targeting three points against a poor Montpellier outfit here.
Predicted lineup: Lopes (GK), Thomas, Castelletto, Zeze, Pallois, Centonze, Coquelin, Chirivella, Augusto, Abline, Simon
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
Montpellier preview: Visitors are depleted
Montpellier will be without the services of Theo Sainte-Luce, Issiaga Sylla, Christopher Jullien, Modibo Sagnan, Andy Delort, Nikola Maksimovic and Axel Gueguin. Montpellier have already lost 25 of their 33 Ligue 1 fixtures this season.
Predicted lineup: Lecomte (GK), Tchato, Mouanga, Omeragic, Mincarelli, Chennahi, Nzingoula, Chotard, Ferri, Coulibaly, Fayad
France Ligue 1 10/05/25
L
PSG
4
Montpellier
1
France Ligue 1 04/05/25
L
Brest
1
Montpellier
0
France Ligue 1 27/04/25
D
Reims
0
Montpellier
0
France Ligue 1 19/04/25
L
Marseille
5
Montpellier
1
France Ligue 1 13/04/25
L
Angers
2
Montpellier
0
Player to watch – Moses Simon
Nigerian attacker Moses Simon has been Nantes’ most impactful player in the final third this season, chipping in with seven goals and nine assists in Ligue 1 since August, and Les Canaris would love another moment of inspiration from their best forward on Saturday.
Can Simon punish Montpellier again?
Simon scored from the penalty spot when Nantes beat Montpellier 3-1 at the beginning of the campaign and had three shots in that triumph overall. The 29-year-old, who tends to start from the left, could be similarly influential this weekend.
