Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Ligue 1 match.
Nantes have returned to a familiar pattern at the start of the season: they are already on a survival track. AJ Auxerre are trying from the outset to avoid being dragged into that mire. A win would not go amiss for either side.
Nantes
Nantes have two defeats so far, yet because the margins have been minimal, the squad remains outside the relegation zone. Arguably, they have simply been unlucky. In the opening rounds they drew the best club in Europe, Paris Saint-Germain, and a youthful Strasbourg Alsace (both 0:1), with Strasbourg Alsace also set to test themselves in European competitions this season. The results therefore are not as bad as they appear. Of course, no team wants to start with losses, yet of the 33 shots conceded over 180 minutes, only eight were on target for Anthony Lopes — the defence is working.
AJ Auxerre
AJ Auxerre goalkeeper Donovan Léon is fairly experienced, yet he has never featured in top-tier tournaments at international level. Appearances for French Guiana in CONCACAF do not constitute elite international experience. In the 2025/26 Ligue 1 opener the goalkeeper kept a clean sheet, but Lorient produced only three shots on target (1:0). That opponent was clearly not on the level of those faced by Nantes. In the next round against a stronger OGC Nice, Donovan Léon let his team down by being sent off for bringing down an opponent outside the penalty area (1:3).
Nantes vs AJ Auxerre Prediction
AJ Auxerre are now also without their first-choice goalkeeper, and the club is hardly convincing away from home. Last season the squad recorded only four wins and three draws in 17 away matches and finished 14th in the away standings. They even failed to beat Nantes at home (1:1). All of that, in our view, points towards Nantes.
