Nantes will be looking to progress to the semi-finals of the Coupe de France when they welcome Bastia at the Stade de la Beaujoire for the quarter-finals on Thursday night.
The hosts managed to defeat Brest in the previous round to advance to this level of the competition, while Bastia eliminated Reims out of the tournament on penalties.
Les Canaris are currently sitting comfortably in mid-table, and are highly unlikely to be dragged into another fight for survival at this stage of the season, so Antoine Kombouare may choose to prioritise a piece of silverware here.
Nantes are now with a realistic shot of making the semi-finals and took a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brest in the last-16, with a brace from Ludovic Blas seeing Les Canaris advance to the quarter-finals for the second time in six seasons.
However, Kombouare’s side lost 1-0 to Strasbourg at the weekend in Ligue 1 through Dimitri Lienard’s effort.
Now Les Canaris head into the quarter-finals having won four and drawn one of their last five matches in all competitions at Stade de la Beaujoire, scoring 11 goals and keeping three clean sheets in that run on home soil.
The last-16 has proven to be Bastia’s weak spot in the past years, but the Ligue 2 side ensured that the omen would not follow them once more as they took the victory through penalty shootouts with Reims to advance to the final eight.
However, Redis Brouard’s side have not faired on well in the second division, now being winless in three matches after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Pau at the weekend.
Bastia have not made an appearance in the semi-finals since falling at the final hurdle in the 2001-02 edition, and have failed to score in seven of their last eight encounters with Nantes.
Nantes vs Bastia head to head
The two teams have previously met on 36 occasions in all competitions, where Nantes have taken 11 victories while Bastia have won 12, and they have drawn in 13. Nantes have scored 37 goals and conceded 35. In their last five enconters, both have won once, and they have drawn in three.
Nantes 0-2 Bastia 14/02/15
Nantes 0-0 Bastia 28/11/15
Bastia 0-0 Nantes 09/03/16
Nantes 1-0 Bastia 01/10/16
Bastia 2-2 Nantes 01/03/17
Nantes latest home form
Nantes have recently been on a good run of form at home, as they have been unbeaten in their last five matches. They recently managed to defeat Brest 2-0 in the Coupe de France in their last home match. In their last five matches, they have won four and drawn one.
Nantes 3-2 Lens 10/12/21
Nantes 2-0 Vitre 02/01/22
Nantes 0-0 Monaco 09/01/22
Nantes 4-2 Lorient 23/01/22
Nantes 2-0 Brest 28/01/22
Nantes latest away form
Nantes have recently failed to keep a good form on the road, as they have lost in their last two away matches. Their last away victory came 1-0 over Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1 on December 22. In their last five away matches, they have scored 3 goals and conceded 3.
Lorient 0-1 Nantes 05/12/21
Sochaux 0-0(P) Nantes 18/12/21
Saint-Etienne 0-1 Nantes 22/12/21
Nice 2-1 Nantes 14/01/22
Strasbourg 1-0 Nantes 06/02/22
Bastia latest home form
Bastia have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, and they have been unbeaten in their last five matches. They recently defeated Clermont 2-0 in the Coupe de France. In their last five matches, they have scored 8 goals and conceded just 3 in the process.
Bastia 2-2 Sochaux 11/12/21
Bastia 2-0 Clermont 02/01/22
Bastia 3-0 Quevilly Rouen 08/01/22
Bastia 0-0 Toulouse 22/01/22
Bastia 1-1 Pau 05/02/22
Bastia latest away form
Bastia have recently had a patchy run of form on the road, as they have failed to record a successive victories. They recently managed to defeat Reims through penalties after a 1-1 draw in the Coupe de France. In their last five matches, they have won two, drawn one and lost two.
Paris FC 1-0 Bastia 03/12/21
Hauts Lyonnais 1-3 Bastia 18/12/21
Rodez 0-0 Bastia 221/12/21
Nancy 2-1 Bastia 15/01/22
Reims 1-1(P) Bastia 29/01/22
Nantes news
Nantes will soon be able to welcome Charles Traore, Jean-Charles Castelletto and Kalifa Coulibaly back to the sqaud, potentially in time for this game.
However, Castelletto may be given more time to recover, and midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy will also be absent after picking up a hamstring injury against Strasbourg on Sunday.
Bastia news
Centre-back Dominique Guidi and left-back Kylian Kaiboue will be back from their respective bans to boost Brouard’s side.
Harrison Manzala and Thomas Vincensini remain on the injured list, while Guidi’s return to the defence could see Lloyed Palun drop down to the bench, with Kevin Schur keeping his place once again.
Prediction and Odds
Bastia have produced some solid defensive displays in this competition and can feel optimistic of their chances of advancing to the next stage.
However, Nantes have made the Stade de la Beaujoire into a fortress in recent week, and we expect them to secure their spot in the semi-finals in the end of the game.
Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.35
Probable outcomes
Nantes 1-0 Bastia
Nantes 2-0 Bastia
Nantes 2-1 Bastia
Nantes 3-2 Bastia
Nantes 1-1 Bastia
