Prediction: FC Nantes vs Juventus

Prediction: Juventus to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

FC Nantes and Juventus will face each other in the UEFA Europa League Knockout Round Playoff Tie this week. The second leg of the tie between the Ligue 1 outfit and the Serie A club will be held at Stade de la Beaujoire and is scheduled to kick off at 5:45pm UK time on Thursday.

FC Nantes

FC Nantes are an established club in France who are doing well in Europe this season. The Ligue 1 outfit finished second in UEFA Europa League Group G with nine points from six matches and dropped into the knockout round playoffs.

Not many would have expected Antoine Kombouare’s side to still be in the tie against former Serie A and UEFA Champions League winners Juventus. The first leg of the tie at Juventus Stadium last week ended in a 1-1 draw. FC Nantes now have a great chance of progressing from the tie.

FC Nantes are 13th in the Ligue 1 table at the moment with 28 points from 24 matches. La Maison Jaune are nine points above the relegation zone and are likely to end the season in and around mid-table. The French club will head into the match against Juventus this week on the back of a 3-1 defeat to RC Lens away from home in Ligue 1.

Team News:

FC Nantes will still be without forward Quentin Merlin due to a groin injury. Ignatius Ganago has been granted time away following the tragic loss of his five-year-old daughter. Jean-Charles Castelletto and Nicolas Pallois are doubts with groin and muscle problems respectively. Pedro Chirivella is set to return to central midfield at the expense of Florent Mollet.

Juventus

Juventus are one of the biggest clubs in Italy and in the world, but things have been really bad for them. Off-pitch issues have badly affected the club, and on the pitch as well, things have been dire. The Bianconeri could not progress to the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League, and they could get knocked out of the UEFA Europa League as well.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side failed to win against FC Nantes in the first leg at home. That was a hugely disappointing result when you consider just how superior Juventus are on paper in terms of their personnel and their rich European history.

Juventus are seventh in the Serie A table at the moment with 32 points from 23 matches. The Bianconeri are as many as 12 points behind fourth-placed and last season’s Serie A winners AC Milan. The Turin club will head into the match against FC Nantes in France on the back of a 2-0 win against Spezia away from home in Serie A.

Team News:

Paul Pogba (knee), Arkadiusz Milik (muscle), Fabio Miretti (ankle) and Kaio Jorge (knee) all are on the sidelines due to injury. Federico Chiesa may not be fit either. Brazilian centre-back Bremer is likely to start alongside compatriot Danilo at the heart of the defence. Wojciech Szczesny and Angel Di Maria are both expected to be recalled to the first XI after beginning on the bench last time out.

Key Factors to Consider

• FC Nantes have won 2 of their last 6 UEFA Europa League matches.
• FC Nantes have won 3 of their last 6 competition matches.
• Juventus have won 4 of their last 6 competitive games.
• Dusan Vlahovic is the top scorer for Juventus so far this season with 10 goals in 20 games.
• FC Nantes have scored 25 gals in 24 Ligue 1 matches so far this campaign.

Conclusion

While FC Nantes will have home advantage, Juventus are a better team and have much more experience. It is very likely that the Italian club will concede a goal, but the European giant do have enough firepower to get the job done in France on Thursday evening.

Prediction: Juventus to win 2-1

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair