Clermont welcome Nantes to the Stade Gabriel Montpied on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1.
The hosts will look to build on great form that has got them dreaming of European qualification.
Match preview
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After a stuttering run which saw Clermont fail to win any of their final five games before the World Cup break and lose to Lille on their competitive return, they are now well on the rise.
Les Lanciers have won all three league games in 2023 so far, including a shock win away at Lyon, and a great result against European-chasing Rennes.
Defeat to sixth-tier Strasbourg Koenigshoffen was a monumental failure, but they have put things right on the league front by jumping into the top half of the Ligue 1 table.
Sitting six points off a potential European place, Pascal Gastien's side are definitely back on track after a very promising opening two months of the season were followed up by an underwhelming spell.
Nantes' season can be characterised very simply as a woeful start followed by a fantastic upturn.
Having won just two of their first 15 matches in all competitions, Nantes have now lost just once in their last 13.
Defensive solidity has helped their cause, as the visitors have not conceded a single goal in six matches since returning from the World Cup break.
Three 0-0 draws in that time show why no side outside the relegation zone have scored fewer goals though.
An awful run of 13 games on the road without a win in Ligue 1 was ended in their last away game, when they convincingly beat Montpellier HSC 3-0, so without that clouding above their heads anymore, Nantes will take confidence into this one.
Team News
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Maxime Gonalons and Souleymane Cisse will both miss out for Clermont again after very injury-disrupted seasons.
Former Birmingham City winger Jeremie Bela will also be sidelined for this fixture.
Nantes defenders Quentin Merlin and Nicolas Pallois are both currently out injured.
That could mean manager Antoine Kombouare will opt to start 17-year-old Nathan Zeze again after featuring in the win over Montpellier.
Ignatius Ganago made a return from injury in their cup tie with Thaon last week and could feature again.
Clermont possible starting lineup:
Diaw; Seidu, Wieteska, Caufriez; Allevinah, Magnin, Gastien, Neto Borges; Khaoui, Rashani, Kyei
Nantes possible starting lineup:
Lafont; Centonze, Castelletto, Girotto, Zeze, Corchia; Guessand, Sissoko, Chirivella, Blas; Simon
We say: Clermont 0-0 Nantes
Neither side have been particularly clinical this season, but are both in very good form, so it is tough to separate the sides on paper.
Nantes are approaching 10 hours since they last conceded a goal, so Clermont will have their work cut out breaking them down.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
