After a premature ending to the Ligue 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020-21 season is back in full force. Bordeaux will be playing host to side Nantes at the Stade Matmut. The match schedules for Friday with kickoff at 8 pm.
New manager Jean-Louis Gasset sets to take charge of his first league game. The side managed to finish off the season 12th on the table. Nantes followed the side on the 13th on the table before the premature season end.
The onus remains on both sides to kick start their season opener in the French Ligue on a high note. This follows the postponing of the match between Marseille and St. Etienne over coronavirus fears.
Paul Sousa saw his agreement end with the club after an unimpressive start to the season. This leaves a great burden on Gasset’s hand as he picks up from where Sousa left at. The main mission will be finishing on the top half of the Ligue 1.
It will be a litmus test for Gasset with the side yet to claim a win on home soil this year. Sousa ended his term with three home defeats before the season was called off. It has not been the most impressive pre-season for Gasset with losses to side Toulouse and draws to Angers and St. Etienne.
Bordeaux vs. Nantes Head to Head
Both sides have 21 games against each other with Bordeaux taking home 11 wins while Nantes with five wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
Stade de Reims 0-4 Bordeaux
Toulouse 0-0 Bordeaux
Saint Etienne 4-2 Bordeaux
Angers 1-1 Bordeaux
Away
Nantes 3-1 Le Havre
RSC Anderlecht 0-0 Nantes
Nantes 6-0 Stade Nyonnais
Bordeaux Team News
Brazilian defender Pablo sets to miss out on the clash after picking a cruciate ligament rupture with an expected return in October. We expect the pairing of former Gunner Koscielny and Mexer by Gasset. Yacine Adli is suffering from thigh problems and might be forced to miss out on this clash.
Nantes Team News
Three confirmed positive coronavirus tests would rule out Captain Abdoulaye Toure, Ludovic Blas, and Mehdi Abeid. Another missing figure is Marcus Soco, who is recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture. Pedro Chirivella might hand the first debut in the midfield.
Prediction and Odds
We expect Bordeaux to take advantage of the lack of first-team players in their opponents due to injury or coronavirus.
Bordeaux Win
Goals Under 2.5
Most Goals: Second Half