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Angers
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 38
May 21, 2022 at 8pm UK
Stade Jean Bouin
Montpellier

Angers
2 - 0
Montpellier

Mangani (45+1' pen.), Pereira Lage (67')
Fulgini (71')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Makouana (30'), Oyongo (44'), Germain (54'), Ferri (59')

Preview: Angers vs. Montpellier HSC - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Ligue 1 clash between Angers and Montpellier HSC, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Angers welcome Montpellier HSC to the Stade Raymond-Kopa in a mid-table dead rubber as the Ligue 1 campaign enters its final matchday on Saturday evening.

The two sides enter game number 38 14th and 13th in the table respectively, but it will be the hosts who are the more content with their finishing position.


Match preview

Angers' Angelo Fulgini celebrates scoring their first goal with Jimmy Cabot, Nabil Bentaleb and Thomas Mangani on February 4, 2022© Reuters

Angers produced a stunning start to the season - losing just one of their opening nine games - and, whilst that early form did fade away, they have spent the season looking comfortable in mid table.

They suddenly found themselves in a spot of bother coming into their encounter with Bordeaux a fortnight ago, however, after a shocking run of form that had seen them pick up just one win since late January.

A 4-1 win over Les Girondins would be enough to all but secure their survival, and it was then fully confirmed last weekend despite a 1-0 loss away at recovering Metz.

Didier Lamkel Ze scored the game's only goal five minutes into the second half in a game where Les Grenats clearly had more to fight for.

So, a somewhat underwhelming campaign comes to an end for Gerald Baticle's side, but they end in the same area of the table they have in recent years and will get another attempt to push up in the standings next season.

Olivier Dall'Oglio, now in charge of Montpellier, pictured in March 2021© Reuters

Whilst Angers certainly endured a poor run of form in 2022, Montpellier's fall from grace has perhaps been even more spectacular.

At the turn of the year, they were eyeing up a continental adventure next season, sat in fifth and only behind Rennes on goal difference.

The wheels gradually fell off that charge, though, and a run of six games without a win - and only one in their last 12 - has seen La Paillade drop all the way to 13th.

Things have maybe hit rock bottom in the last fortnight, with a 2-1 loss to minnows Clermont and then a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the previously stuttering champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Olivier Dall'Oglio and his side will now have the chance to enter the summer on something of a high with a win on Saturday, ahead of what will surely be a summer rebuild.

Angers Ligue 1 form:
  • D
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L

Montpellier HSC Ligue 1 form:
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • L


Team News

Cameroon's Ambroise Oyongo Bitolo celebrates with teammates after scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out on February 5, 2022© Reuters

Angers will be without Sofiane Boufal and Jimmy Cabot through injury - thigh and ankle issues respectively - but Pierrick Capelle was fit enough for the bench last time out and may now feature.

Souleyman Doumbia will also be back having served his suspension and the left-back is expected to return to his spot in a back five.

Meanwhile, Montpellier's left-back Ambroise Oyongo was available after his one-game ban last time out but started on the bench, with Mihailo Ristic remaining in the starting XI.

After the mauling from the champions, however, Dall'Oglio may choose to return to the former.

Captain and talisman Teji Savanier remains out in a bitter blow for La Paillade, with first-choice goalkeeper Jonas Omlin, Elye Wahi, Mamadou Sakho and Remy Cabella also in the treatment room.

Angers possible starting lineup:
Mandrea; Lage, Manceau, Traore, Ebosse, Doumbia; Fulgini, Bentaleb, Mendy; Bahoken, Cho

Montpellier HSC possible starting lineup:
Bertaud; Cozza, Esteve, Mendes; Souquet, Chotard, Ferri, Oyongo; Mollet; Mavididi, Germain


SM words green background

We say: Angers 2-1 Montpellier HSC

This game is a tricky one to call with both sides having so little to play for. However, the visitors have the worse form and are feeling their key absences so we are backing a narrow home win.

For additional data used by our team to analyse our suggested result please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


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Written by
James Mackenzie

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Game History

How you voted: Angers vs Montpellier

Angers
70.7%
Draw
19.5%
Montpellier HSC
9.8%
41
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG14104037112634
2Marseille1492331171429
3MonacoMonaco1492324121229
4Lille1475224141026
5Lyon147432617925
6Nice146532617923
7Lens146531712523
8Toulouse156361717021
9Auxerre146262121020
10Reims145452018219
11Brest145182026-616
12Rennes144281820-214
13NantesNantes143561620-414
14StrasbourgStrasbourg143562227-514
15Angers143471424-1013
16Saint-EtienneSt Etienne1541101234-2213
17Le HavreLe Havre1440101126-1512
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier1422101336-238


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