Nancy have the honour of hosting champions Lille in their opening game, but they are unlikely to do them any favours at Stade Marcel Picot. After winning the double last term, les Dogues were defeated 5:4 by Marseille in the magnificent Trophee des Champions match, which showed that Rudi Garcia’s side will continue to score goals for fun, even without Gervinho and Cabaye.

Nancy getting weaker year after year

Even though talented coach Pablo Correa managed to complete the process of transforming Nancy from relegation strugglers to a top table side in the space of just few years, the club management could no longer match his ambitions and the Uruguayan decided to leave the club at the end of last season. Nancy experienced major problems last term and they only managed to survive the season thanks to three successive wins in the league finish, so there are no doubts they are in for another difficult season. New boss Jean Fernandez could have his hands tied following the departure of key players Landry N’Guemo and Julien Feret, especially as squad players Genaro Bracigliano, Benjamin Gavanon and Alfred N’Diaye also left. Apart from keeper N’dy Asembe, the club failed to bring any proper replacements, so I just can’t see how they are going to match Lille in this game. The 2:0 defeat to Kaiserslautern in the final preparation game could be just a sign of things to come.

The arrival from Sochaux, Bakay Traore has resumed full training, but Marama Vahirua is a doubt with a groin problem.

Defending the title

What has long been coming finally happened last season as the most entertaining football team in recent history of French football deservedly won the Ligue 1 title, the first after 57 years. Les Dogues not only won the league title, but also added the Coupe de France title to their trophy cabinet, showing everyone why they are considered one of the best sides in France. The team have since undergone big changes as Gervinho, Cabaye, Rami and Emerson all left, but the club management did well to bring Payet, Pedretti, Basa and Bonnart as their replacements, while also adding Vincent Eneyama and Ronny Rodelin to the squad. Rudy Garcia’s side showed they have lost nothing of their attacking edge by scoring four goals in the Trophee des Champions game against Marseille, but ended up losing the game after conceding four goals in the final ten minutes of the game. It does seem that Lille have already hit the ground running and it is for that reason that I believe they will beat weak Nancy side.

Ligue 1 top scorer Moussa Sow should start after recovering from a knee injury, but Laurent Bonnart, David Rozenhal and Tulio de Melo are unlikely to feature. Aurelien Chedjou is suspended after seeing red in the Super Cup match against Marseille.

Verdict

Nancy have lost several key players from last season, as well as coach Pablo Correa, who had made them what they are at the moment, and that could prove to be a problem this season. Lille, on the other hand, look just as strong as last term and they are expected to start the title defence with a win.

Our prediction: Away win

Odds: 2.25 (5/4)

Bookmaker: Victor Chandler