Nantes host Reims at Stade de la Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau on Saturday, October 10, in one of Ligue 2’s standout eighth-round fixtures. Nantes have shown signs of recovery after a difficult start, but they enter the match in 15th place with two wins from seven league games. Reims are third and remain unbeaten in Ligue 2, with three wins and four draws. The visitors also have the stronger recent head-to-head record, making this a demanding test of Nantes’ progress.

Nantes Recent Form and Key Stats

Nantes lost their first three Ligue 2 matches of the season, a run that preceded Michel Der Zakarian’s departure. Since Grégory Poirier took charge, the Canaries have won two of their last three games. Their league record stands at two wins, one draw and four defeats, with averages of 1.3 goals scored and 1.9 conceded per match.

The improvement has not been uninterrupted. Nantes won 2-1 away to US Boulogne, but lost 2-1 to Lorient on October 3. Across their last five matches, they have recorded two wins, one draw and two defeats, scoring and conceding an average of 1.4 goals per game. Their matches have also consistently featured second-half action: at least one goal was scored after the break in each of their last 12.

Poirier has a full squad available for this fixture. Maxime Dupé is seeking his second clean sheet of the Ligue 2 campaign, while Lucas Perrin and Frédéric Guilbert provide experience in front of him. Johann Lepenant has remained important in midfield. In attack, Killian Corredor could return to action after an injury; before his absence, he scored twice against Rodez AF.

Reims Recent Form and Key Stats

Reims arrive with the only unbeaten record in Ligue 2 after seven rounds. Their three wins and four draws have put them third, three points behind the leader. They average 2.1 goals scored and 1.3 conceded per league match, and have avoided defeat in 21 of their last 22 Ligue 2 fixtures. Maintaining that record would keep their campaign on track while denying points to a side that also began the season with promotion ambitions.

The visitors have already won away to Red Star, by 4-1, and AS Nancy-Lorraine. Their overall last-five record is two wins, two draws and one defeat, with averages of 1.8 goals scored and 1.6 conceded. That defeat was a 3-0 loss to Anderlecht on October 2; it does not alter their unbeaten league record. Away matches have not always brought goals, however: four of Reims’ last 12 Ligue 2 trips finished with no goals scored by either team.

Yaya Fofana has scored six Ligue 2 goals, while Daouda Guindo has supplied three assists. Reims will be without the suspended Armel Zohouri, who was sent off against Montpellier HSC, as well as the injured Mory Gbane and Lenny Sylla. Joseph Okumu, Hafiz Ibrahim and Youssef El Kachati are uncertain. Tom Hulsmann is available, although he has gone some time without a clean sheet.

Nantes vs Reims Match Analysis

Nantes’ recent wins give them a stronger footing than their opening three defeats suggested, but their defensive numbers remain a concern against a Reims side averaging more than two goals per Ligue 2 game. The hosts have conceded 1.9 per league match, and Dupé faces a challenge if he is to add to his clean-sheet tally. Nantes’ own scoring figures, together with the run of goals in the second half of their matches, suggest they have opportunities to make this contest competitive.

Reims have the clearer league record, though their recent loss to Anderlecht and the goalless results among their away fixtures are reasons not to assume a straightforward visit. The head-to-head figures still favour them: across the five meetings in the supplied record, Nantes have one win, one draw and three defeats, averaging 0.6 goals scored and 1.4 conceded. The latest meeting ended 2-1 to Reims on February 2, 2025. With Nantes improving but Reims unbeaten in the league and successful on their previous two trips, the visitors have a credible chance of taking all three points.

Nantes vs Reims prediction from BetMines: Reims win (2) with 38% probability.