Nantes vs Paris FC Prediction 18.01.2026 | Ligue 1

Nantes welcome newly promoted Paris FC to their home turf as they remain entrenched in a desperate battle to avoid Ligue 1 relegation. Sitting just one place above the relegation automatic zone, the yellow-and-green face a challenging run-in for the remainder of the season.

Despite heading into the winter break on a high following a stunning 2-0 victory at Marseille’s Velodrome, that result remains an outlier in a woeful sequence of form that has seen Nantes fail to secure a league win in their last seven outings (D2 L5).

Manager Ahmed Kantari’s primary concern continues to be his side’s troubling home form. Nantes have recorded just one victory and suffered five defeats from eight league matches at Beaujoire this term, accumulating a meagre five points in front of their own supporters.

Fabien Centonze has been a beacon of attacking promise, finding the net in three consecutive matches, though he was forced to sit out the previous clash against Nice through injury. Meanwhile, Chidozie Awaziem and Mostafa Mohamed are away on international duty, competing with Nigeria and Egypt for third place at the AFCON tournament, further limiting Nantes’ options.

On the other side, newly promoted Paris FC arrive in Brittany embroiled in a tense relegation battle. Their modest tally of 16 points places them just one spot and two points above the relegation playoff zone, currently occupied by this weekend’s hosts, Nantes.

The Parisian outfit, returning to France’s top flight after a 46-year absence, have found life in Ligue 1 particularly challenging in recent weeks. They went two and a half months without a league win, collecting just two points from six matches during that stretch (D2 L4), highlighting the difficulties of establishing themselves among the elite.

However, morale in the Paris FC camp is higher than ever following a sensational midweek display. They showcased their giant-killing credentials by securing a one-goal shock victory over local rivals and reigning champions PSG at the Parc des Princes, eliminating them from the Coupe de France in dramatic fashion.

Coach Stephane Gilli will be bolstered by the return of several players from AFCON duty, including Samir Chergui, Hamari Traore, Ilan Kebbal, and Jean-Philippe Krasso. Moses Simon, however, remains away representing Nigeria in the third-place match against Egypt.