With Ligue 1 survival at stake, Nantes welcome bottom-dwellers Montpellier to the Stade de la Beaujoire on 17 May 2025. Both teams are in desperate need of a win, but it’s Nantes who look better positioned to grab all three points. Kick Off Nigeria editor Ayomide Oguntimehin previews this crucial clash in the race to avoid the drop.
Nantes vs Montpellier Match Preview
Nantes have been hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, but they’ll fancy their chances against a Montpellier side that’s completely lost its way. With just one win in their last five outings, the Canaries haven’t exactly inspired confidence, but their gritty performances against the likes of PSG show they still have fight in them. Sitting 15th with 33 points, they’ll be eyeing this game as a must-win to finally pull away from the danger zone.
Montpellier, by contrast, look destined for the drop unless something drastic changes. With just 16 points from 33 matches, they’ve been rooted to 18th place and have failed to win in their last five league outings.
Zoumana Camara’s men haven’t just lost—they’ve capitulated, conceding 13 goals in their last five and failing to score in four of those. A trip to Nantes, where they’ve traditionally struggled, adds more weight to the mountain they must now climb.
Nantes vs Montpellier Head-to-Head
- 31.08.2024 – Montpellier 1–3 Nantes
- 26.04.2024 – Montpellier 1–1 Nantes
- 22.10.2023 – Nantes 2–0 Montpellier
- 20.05.2023 – Nantes 0–3 Montpellier
- 15.01.2023 – Montpellier 0–3 Nantes
Nantes have dominated recent meetings, winning three of the last five and losing just once.
Recent Form: Nantes
Nantes have endured a rough spell in recent weeks but have managed to salvage some positives. Their last match saw them earn a 1–1 draw away at Auxerre—better than the home loss to Angers (0–1) and the goalless draw against Toulouse that preceded it. Earlier, they fought hard to claim a 1–1 draw at home to PSG, showing they can be resilient when needed. However, a 2–1 defeat away to Rennes and inconsistency at home have kept them from climbing higher. Still, with survival in their own hands, Nantes will view Montpellier’s visit as a golden opportunity to get back on track.
Recent Form: Montpellier
Montpellier are in complete free fall. A 4–1 drubbing at the hands of PSG in their last outing summed up their season. Before that, they were toothless in a 1–0 loss to Brest, and even a goalless home draw with Reims couldn’t lift spirits. They suffered a humiliating 5–1 loss to Marseille and fell 2–0 to Angers. Their away form has been especially dire, with five straight defeats without scoring a single goal. Confidence is low, and with the clock ticking, time may be running out for the visitors to mount a survival bid.
Player to Watch: Moses Simon (Nantes)
If Nantes are to come out on top, they’ll need Moses Simon at his sharpest. He’s been one of Nantes’ most consistent threats this season and will likely be the man Montpellier fear most on Saturday.
Best Betting Odds
Home to Win (Nantes): 1.57 on 1xBet
