Angers and Reims will both be aiming to bounce back from respective defeats when the two Ligue 1 sides lock horns at Stade Raymond Kopa on Sunday.
Angers suffered a 2-0 defeat to Bordeaux in their most recent outing, while Lille inflicted a 1-0 defeat on Reims last time out.
Match preview
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Angers were unable to build on their opening-day victory against Dijon as they were put to the sword on their own turf by a resolute Bordeaux side in the final weekend of August.
Two first-half strikes from Josh Maja and Toma Basic put the visitors in control early on and Angers were unable to find a way back into the game in the closing stages.
There is no shame in coming out second best against the well-organised defensive unit of Bordeaux, although that home defeat did end Angers's four-game winning streak in the French top flight, with Maja's and Basic's strikes the first goals Angers have conceded at home since February 7.
In spite of the fact that the sporting landscape has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, Angers can be encouraged by their remarkable home record - Stephane Moulin's side have only lost six league matches on familiar territory since January 2019, although three of those losses have come this year.
Angers recently took part in a friendly clash with Chateauroux to keep their skills sharp, and Moulin's men marched to a 6-1 victory in that meeting last Saturday.
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Meanwhile, Reims are still searching for their first victory of the new campaign as they followed up a draw with Monaco with a 1-0 defeat to Lille in gameweek two.
Jonathan Bamba's first-half strike was enough to see the visitors walk away with all three points, and Reims will be desperate to register a victory this weekend ahead of their Europa League fixture in midweek.
David Guion's men are taking on Swiss Super League side Servette in the second qualifying round on Thursday, but Reims must first navigate a meeting with an Angers side who will be equally motivated to bounce back from their recent defeat.
Reims inflicted a 4-1 thrashing on Angers when the two sides last locked horns back in February, and Moulin's side are winless in 11 matches against their opponents - a run stretching all the way back to 2008 when both clubs plied their trade in the second division.
Angers Ligue 1 form: WL
Reims Ligue 1 form: DL
Team News
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Angers may have to face Reims without the services of winger Farid El Melali, who is said to be struggling with an adductor problem.
Sada Thioub could therefore occupy the right-hand side allowing Pierrick Capelle to come in on the left, but Mathias Pereira Lage and Vincent Manceau are still on the treatment table.
Stephane Bahoken is in contention to spearhead the Angers attack after coming off the bench in the defeat to Bordeaux, while Rayan Ait Nouri may be involved after recovering from coronavirus.
As for Reims, midfielder Marshall Munetsi was forced off early on against Lille and is set to to be replaced in the middle of the park by Valon Berisha.
Anastasios Donis managed to shake off an ankle complaint in time to come off the bench last time out, while former Everton man Fraser Hornby made his debut for the Ligue 1 side in gameweek two.
Right-back Thomas Foket missed out against Lille through injury, and an unnamed player in the Reims camp has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus in the past couple of days.
Angers possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Bamba, Traore, Thomas, Nouri; Santamaria; Thioub, Fulgini, Mangani, Capelle; Bahoken
Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Doucoure, Faes, Abdelhamid, Konan; Chavalerin, Berisha, Cassama; Kutesa, Toure, Cafaro
We say: Angers 0-0 Reims
Angers boast an incredible home record in the French top flight and there is no reason for Moulin's men to be disheartened following their loss to Bordeaux. On the other hand, Reims will be looking to gather momentum ahead of their Europa League ventures and have proven difficult for Angers to overcome in recent times, so we expect the two clubs to walk away with a point apiece in this one.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw 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.Home/Draw:data
Ben Knapton
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Angers win with a probability of 41.35%. A win for Reims had a probability of 29.86% and a draw had a probability of 28.8%.
The most likely scoreline for an Angers win was 1-0 with a probability of 13.36%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-0 (8.16%) and 2-1 (8.09%). The likeliest Reims win was 0-1 (10.85%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.24%). The actual scoreline of 1-0 was predicted with a 13.4% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 1-0 win for Angers in this match.
