Nantes v Nice: survival stakes as Ligue 1 strugglers seek a lift | OneFootball

Nantes host Nice in Ligue 1 on Sunday, 25 January 2026 at Stade de la Beaujoire, with both teams in the bottom third and points vital in a tightening relegation picture.

Nantes and Nice drew 1-1 in the Coupe de France a fortnight ago before Nice advanced on penalties, and the reverse league meeting in September finished 1-0 to Nice. That recent edge gives this matchup extra needle.

Les Canaris upset Marseille 2-0 away earlier this month but lost at home to Paris FC last time out, underlining uneven form. Les Aiglons have taken one point from their past five league games, though they did beat Go Ahead Eagles 3-1 in Europe on Thursday to lift confidence.

In terms of availability, Les Canaris list Deiver Machado and Fabien Centonze as out. Les Aiglons are without Melvin Bard, Sofiane Diop, Youssouf Ndayishimiye, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Moïse Bombito and Gabin Bernardeau.

Les Aiglons tend to keep a touch more of the ball, with 48% possession and 84.20% pass accuracy, and their crossing has been a route to threat, converting deliveries at 26.56%. That could suit Jonathan Clauss supplying Elye Wahi. Les Canaris average 43% possession, have scored 17 league goals and may lean on Youssef El Arabi's penalty box craft, with Anthony Lopes' experience key at the other end.

Les Canaris sit on 14 points in the relegation play-off spot and would move to 17 with a win, which could pull them closer to safety. Les Aiglons are on 18 points and victory would take them to 21, potentially easing relegation pressure and nudging them up the table.