Angers vs Lyon Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Following their promotion to the top-flight last season, Angers have overperformed as they push away from the bottom three and the danger zone with the hosts now taking on a strong but chaotic Olympique Lyonnais side at Stade Raymond Kopa this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 7th December, 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1 pass / US – beIN Sports
Angers Preview: Improved Angers
Having gained promotion to the top-flight this season, it was always expected to be a difficult campaign for Angers under the management of Alexandre Dujeux. The hosts started the season really badly but have since majorly improved to push away from the bottom three and the relegation places.
The home team come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 win away to Le Havre in their most recent outing last weekend thanks to their 63rd minute winner from Himad Abdelli. That means that Angers’ last have suffered just three defeats in their last ten matches since the September international break.
Lyon Preview: Chaotic on and off the field
Off the pitch, John Textor-owned Olympique Lyonnais are facing administrative relegation if they do not raise sufficient funds in the January transfer window. The seven-time French champions have remained strong and entertaining to watch on the pitch as they chase potential UEFA Champions League qualification.
OL come into this one on the back of back-to-back 4-1 hammerings; firstly of Qarabag in Baku in the UEFA Europa League before then doing the same against Nice at Parc OL a few days later. That means they are now unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions with their 13 games in Ligue 1 consisting of 40 goals.
Angers Team News: No Kalumba
Angers to have a new injury issue to deal with ahead of this weekend’s clash with Lyon as Justin-Noel Kalumba has suffered a broken ankle so will now be sidelined for a while.
As well as the absence of Kalumba, Angers are dealing with a few longer term injury issues such as Zinedine Ferhat, Cedric Hountondji and Sidiki Cherif.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Fofana; Arcus, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin; Belkelba, Aholou; Allevinah, Abdelli, El Melali; Dieng
Unavailable: Kalumba (Injured), Cherif (Injured), Ferhat (Injured), Hountondji (Injured)
Questionable:
Lyon Team News: No need to change
Pierre Sage has had a few issues to deal with at the start of this season with so many attacking options making it actually difficult for Lyon to select the right balance going forward.
They have no fresh injury concerns for this one so have no reason to make too many changes but they do remain without Mahamadou Diawara due to a knee injury.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Perri; Clinton Mata, Caleta-Car, Niakhate, Tagliafico; Veretout, Matic, Tolisso; Benrahma, Lacazette, Fofana
Unavailable: Diawara (Injured)
Questionable:
Angers vs Lyon Prediction
Angers came up from Ligue 2 with a defensive style of football and that has once again been the case as they try and battle against relegation in Ligue 1. They have scored just 14 goals in their 13 matches so far this season. They now take on a Lyon side that, with their abundance of quality, can be rampant in attack when they click and, despite the improvement and solidity of the hosts, have been able to get on a run and stick on that run under Pierre Sage.
Angers vs Lyon Tip: Lyon to win
