The Matchday 15 Ligue 1 fixture between Nantes and Lens will take place on December 6 at the Beaujoire Stadium. Nantes vs. Lens: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Nantes
Luís Castro's side travelled to Lyon in the last round and suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat. It was their first heavy loss in the league since February. Overall, the club has now gone five Ligue 1 matches without a win (2 draws, 3 defeats). As a result, Nantes have slipped into the bottom three and sit three points adrift of 15th place. The team is conceding an average of two goals per game, with only Metz (31 goals conceded) having a worse defensive record.
- In their last 11 Ligue 1 matches the club has recorded just one victory (5 draws, 5 defeats).
- Exactly two or three goals were scored in 6 of Nantes' last 7 league games.
- The team is on a five-match winless run at home in Ligue 1 (2 draws, 3 defeats).
Predicted Nantes lineup (4-3-3)
Antony Lopes – Chidozie Awaziem, Kelven Amian, Tiele Tati, Nicolas Cozza – Junior Mwanga, Joann Lepenant, Kwon Hyeok-kyu – Maikel Lakhdo, Mattis Ablin, Youssef El-Arabi.
Defender Louis Leroux will miss the game through injury. Midfielder Junior Mwanga is suspended.
Lens
The club has reached the top of the Ligue 1 table for the first time in 20 years. That came after last weekend’s 2-1 away win at Angers, combined with PSG’s defeat to Monaco. As a result, Lens sit one point clear of Paris. The team are on a four-match winning run in the league and, together with PSG, now have the competition's best defence, conceding just 12 goals.
- In their last 10 league matches the club is unbeaten in nine (8 wins, 1 draw).
- At least three goals were scored in 6 of Lens' last 8 Ligue 1 games.
- Both teams scored in 7 of the club's last 10 away league matches.
Predicted Lens lineup (3-4-2-1)
Rober Vosser – Samson Baidoo, Malang Sarr, Ismaelo Ganiu – Ruben Aguilar, Adrien Thomasson, Mamadou Sangaré, Matthieu Udol – Wesley Said, Florian Toven – Odsonne Édouard.
Defenders Deiver Machado, Johanner Chavez and Jonathan Gradey will miss out through injury. Midfielder Adrien Thomasson and forward Morgan Guilavogui are suspended.
Referee: Benoît Bastien (France)
Matches – 8 (Ligue 1, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 29;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 38%.
Match Prediction Nantes – Lens
Pierre Saha's Lens are in excellent form and their position at the top of the table is no coincidence. After 14 rounds they have already collected 10 wins and lead the chasing pack by victories. Their strong defensive organisation is a key factor behind their results in Ligue 1. I expect Lens to take another win here — their opponents look beatable and appear to be stuck in the lower reaches of the table.
Nantes have lost 3 of their last 4 home league matches. Their defence has been fragile at times — they have conceded at least two goals in 4 of their last 5 home Ligue 1 games. Lens are strong away from home, although they occasionally drop points; over their last 10 league trips they have won 6, drawn 2 and lost only twice. Additionally, Lens have won 4 of the last 5 head-to-head league meetings.
My prediction – Lens ITB 1.5
* Predicted starting lineups for each team are their most recent lineups in this competition.
