Nantes take on the visitors PSG in the round 1 match of French Ligue 1. The match will be played on Sunday, August 17th at Stade de la Beaujoire (Nantes).
Nantes have had their glory days, most recently in 2022 when they lifted the French Cup and later gave a good account of themselves in the Europa League. Nowadays, however, their main priority remains survival in Ligue 1. Last season, under the returning Antoine Kombouaré, they did just enough, finishing 13th with 36 points. Still, concerns linger: they won only 8 games — a tally more typical of relegation contenders — and Reims, with just 3 points fewer, ended up in the playoffs and dropped out. Improvement is essential, and the club is now betting on new manager Luís Castro to bring progress. He will have to manage without the likes of Douglas, Pallois, Lafont, and Castelletto, but veteran striker El Arabi has arrived to lead the line.
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PSG look at domestic competitions with indifference. Backed by Qatari money, the Parisians have become an unstoppable force in French football, a Western equivalent of Ludogorets in terms of domestic dominance. But last season, Luis Enrique finally achieved the club’s ultimate goal by winning the Champions League — even if it took him two tries. Despite losing the Club World Cup final 0-3 to Chelsea after dramatic wins over Bayern and Real Madrid, PSG did not push heavily in the transfer market this summer, focusing more on departures. Still, they made key additions: Illia Zabarnyi strengthened the backline, while Lucas Chevalier was brought in as a long-term replacement for Gianluigi Donnarumma. Chevalier already proved himself in the UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham, stepping up in a penalty shootout after PSG fought back from 0-2.
Surprisingly, in their remarkable previous season, PSG twice drew 1-1 against Nantes — proof that the Canaries can sometimes frustrate the champions. PSG are overwhelming favorites here, and a surprise looks unlikely. The smart bet is on the Parisians to cover a -1.5 handicap.
Prediction for the match: PSG to win with -1.5 handicap.
