Angers vs Lyon Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Angers are once again surprisingly comfortably safe but they are in a bit of trouble as they take on a strong but now inconsistent Olympique Lyonnais this week.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Angers preview: Out of form
Alexandre Dujeux and his Angers side begin this weekend's round of fixtures sitting firmly in the middle-of-the-table but they have declined with five defeats in their last six matches in Ligue 1.
The home team most recently succumbed to a 5-1 demolition at the hands of title challenging Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis a couple of weeks ago in a game in which that scoreline perhaps flattered Angers.
Lyon preview: Dip for Lyon
They now face a Lyon side that enjoyed a record-breaking 13-match winning streak a couple of months ago but things have gone badly quite quickly with pressure now even growing on manager Paulo Fonseca.
Their UEFA Europa League elimination at the hands of Celta Vigo in the round of 16 has come around the same time as a major decline in Ligue 1 seeing them slip out of a top three spot and UEFA Champions League qualification.
Angers team news: A few doubts
Angers are dealing with a few doubts for this weekend as goalkeeper Melvin Zinga is now potentially sidelined alongside key defender Carlens Arcus and versatile, exciting attacker Prosper Peter.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pona; Louer, Camara, Lefort, Hanin; Belkelba, Van den Boomen; Belkhdim, Mouton, Sbai; Machine
Unavailable:
Questionable: Zinga (Injured), Arcus (Injured), Peter (Injured)
Lyon team news: Tagliafico suspended
Lyon are now without Argentina international left-back Nicolas Tagliafico, as he is missing through suspension, while Ruben Kluivert and Ainsley Maitland-Niles work their way back to full fitness.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Greif; Hateboer, Clinton Mata, Niakhate, Abner; Mangala, Nartey; Endrick, Tolisso, Afonso; Sulc
Unavailable: Tagliafico (Suspended), Nuamah (Injured), Himbert (Injured), Fofana (Injured)
Questionable: Kluivert (Injured), Maitland-Niles (Injured), Merah (Injured)
Angers vs Lyon prediction
Lyon's 2-1 defeat at home to Monaco before the international break means that they are now winless in their last eight matches across all competitions. Angers themselves appear to be very much 'on the beach' and this is hardly likely to be much of a thriller with a low-scoring, low quality encounter to be expected, due to the lack of confidence of both, at Stade Raymond Kopa.
Angers vs Lyon tip: Under 2.5 goals