Preview: Angers vs. Brest - prediction, team news, lineups

After drawing their first two games of the Ligue 1 campaign, Angers will be searching for their first victory of the season on Sunday when they host Brest.

The visitors are also yet to gain three points this season, and they currently sit below their opponents in the league table, with this weekend providing the opportunity for them to progress.

Match preview

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Angers kickstarted their season with an uneventful goalless draw against Nantes, and they followed that up by sharing the points with their opponents again in their most recent outing.

That was a performance that Gerald Baticle will have taken pride in though considering his team were two goals behind after just 10 minutes of the game.

Goals from Lois Diony and Amine Salama helped them continue their undefeated start to the campaign, which will be building confidence within the squad.

Last season Angers drew 11 games, which is one of the reasons that they did not kick on and push further up the league table, where they ultimately finished 14th.

If the hosts are able to gain three points on Sunday they have a real chance of progressing up the division, possibly into the European positions if other results go their way.

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For the visitors, they have only managed to earn a single point so far this season following the opening two games of the season, as they continue to search for their first victory as well.

Brest kickstarted their campaign with a five-goal thriller as they were defeated 3-2 by Lens after they conceded a trio of goals from Florian Sotoca.

The squad attempted to fight back in the second half, and goals from Haris Belkebla and Romain Del Castillo almost secured that, but it was too little too late.

Michel Der Zakarian's men were able to earn a point in their following encounter against Marseille as they came back from behind to draw 1-1 after Pierre Lees-Melou scored in the second half.

While Brest are without a win so far this season, they will no doubt take confidence from the fact they defeated their opponents 2-0 recently during a pre-season friendly.

Team News

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Sofiane Boufal made his return to the pitch in the previous Angers game following his hamstring problem by coming off the bench, and he will be an option once again this weekend.

Himad Abdelli did not feature in that match but he was involved in the match-day squad as he also prepares to make his official comeback from his knee problem.

Noah Fadiga was missing during Brest's previous match because of an ankle injury he sustained on the opening day of the season which also happened to be his debut.

Lees-Melou is someone who could be used in the middle of the pitch for the visitors, particularly after he found the back of the net during their most recent encounter.

Angers possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Doumbia, Blazic, Hountondji, Sabanovic; Mendy, Bentaleb; Hunou, Ounahi, Thioub; Diony

Brest possible starting lineup:

Bizot; Duverne, Chardonnet, Dari, Brassier; Magnetti, Lees-Melou, Belkebla; Honorat, Lage, Le Douaron

We say: Angers 1-0 Brest

Both teams will be hoping to secure their first victory of the season this weekend, and the fact their opponents have yet to earn three points is something that may provide some belief.

Angers have been the more solid of the two teams across the opening two games, and that could continue to shine through in this encounter.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.