Betting Preview: Nantes v Brest

The round of 16 Coupe de France action starts with FC Nantes hosting Stade Brestois on Friday. Both sides win their respective fixtures in the weekend to close the gap between them and European chasers. 

13 points in the last six for Nantes

Nantes only suffered defeat once in their last six Ligue 1 encounters. Apart from the second-placed in-form side Nice, Nantes secured points in this run that showcased how they improved since avoiding the drop via the playoffs last season.

Their recent victory came against Lorient, a club that was a direct rival in last season’s relegation fight. Andrei Girotto scored another free-kick to open the scoring in the night in a game that saw six goals netted.

Randal Kolo-Muani will certainly leave the club in the summer, most probably to Eintracht Frankfurt, but he continued his fine form with his eighth goal of the campaign as Nantes did well without their architect Simon Moses.

When and where to watch?

The match kicks off at 20:00 on Friday 28th January 2022.

Brest ended a four-game losing streak

After their first six wins of the season, which arrived in a spectacular streak, Brest only picked up a point in the subsequent four games. Before a dejavu of form struck the side, Brest came with another three important points against champions LOSC Lille on Saturday.

Tiago Djalo’s own goal early in the game paved the way for Michel Der Zakarian’s side to defend their lead and create problems in the counter-attacks all game for the Champions League club.

And Steve Mounie rounded the score in the injury-time to end his goal drought from a penalty-kick. The result meant Brest is now only seven points short of fourth-placed Strasbourg despite having to wait until the 12th matchday for a first win.

Nantes is superior in this matchup

In the previous two Coupe de France occasions, Nantes knocked out Brest from the cup. Incidentally, both of those occasions were also in the Round of 16. Nantes also prevailed in eight of the last ten games they faced Brest. The recent encounter in the league ended in a 3-1 win for Antoine Kombouare’s side.

Nantes & Brest Team News

Brest will hope to get the service of Haris Belkebla back in time after Algeria’s premature exit from the AFCON.

Nantes also aim to see Simon back in action after Nigeria get eliminated by Tunisia in the Round of 16. Santiago Bocari, Jean-Charles Castelletto, Kalifa Coulibaly and Charles Traore are also on national team duty from Nantes.

Nantes with the psychological advantage

Brest had the fortune of facing a COVID-hit Bordeaux side in the previous round. Now they’re up against a team they struggle to find results in recent meetings. And, most of all, the previous record from the two Round of 16 games between the sides favor Kombouare’s side.  

Nantes to win11/10 (2.10) 888SportRandal Kolo Muani to score anytime2/1 (3.00) 888SportBoth teams to score87/100 (1.87)888Sport

Author: Annette May