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

Angers will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon when they take on basement club Nimes in Ligue 1.

Last weekend saw the Black and Whites lose their ninth match of the season away at Bordeaux, while the Crocodiles claimed their first three points of 2021 with a surprise win against Marseille two weeks ago.

Match preview

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Angers's form continues to dip as they suffered their third successive league defeat, narrowly losing 2-1 away at Bordeaux.

Stephane Moulin's side have slipped to 10th in the table having now lost as many matches as they have won in the top-flight, but the 53-year-old will not be too worried as Angers remain much closer to the Europa League positions than the relegation zone.

The Black and Whites head into Sunday's fixture having lost four of their last six Ligue 1 home games and have scored just nine at the Raymond Kopa Stadium all season – only Dijon have scored fewer goals on home soil so far this campaign.

Angers have, however, won two of their last three league matches against Nimes, including a brilliant 5-1 triumph in November, their joint-biggest top-flight win in the 21st century.

Securing another three points on Sunday could move Moulin's men into the top six, three points behind Rennes in fifth.

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Nimes caused the biggest upset of gameweek 20 as they claimed a 2-1 away victory against Marseille last weekend, their first Ligue 1 win since November.

Swedish winger Niclas Eliasson scored his first two goals of the season to help Nimes secure only their fourth league victory of the campaign, although they remain bottom of the table, three points adrift of safety.

The Crocodiles have preferred playing away from home during the 2020-21 campaign, having won three of their four league matches on their travels, although they have only scored seven goals in 10 Ligue 1 away games – the worst tally of any team on the road this season.

Nimes boss Jerome Arpinon will hope that his side can replicate their performance against Marseille and take advantage of an out-of-form Angers side.

Securing back-to-back victories for the first time since February 2020 would move Nimes off the foot of the table, level on points with Nantes, who sit one place above the bottom three.

Angers Ligue 1 form: DWWLLL

Nimes Ligue 1 form: LDLLLW

Team News

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Angers's Thomas Mangani is available for selection and could start in central midfield alongside Ibrahim Amadou.

Former Southampton winger Sofiane Boufal is also fit to return, which leaves long-term absentee Enzo Ebosse (knee) as Moulin's only injury concern.

Nimes centre-backs Loick Landre (thigh) and Pablo Martinez (back) as well as forward Clement Depres (anterior cruciate ligament) all remain out with injuries.

Attacking midfielder Yassine Benrahou could return to the squad but after only recently recovering from a muscle injury, is unlikely to feature in Arpinon's starting XI.

Angers possible starting lineup: Bernardoni; Manceau, Traore, Thomas, Doumbia; Mangani, Amadou; Capelle, Fulgini, Lage; Bahoken

Nimes possible starting lineup: Reynet; Alakouch, Deaux, Briancon, Meling; Cubas, Fomba; Ferhat, Ripart, Eliasson; Kone

We say: Angers 1-1 Nimes

The last encounter between the two sides resulted in a comprehensive victory for Angers, but Sunday's fixture could be a closer affair. Nimes are fighting to survive in Ligue 1 and will fancy their chances against the hosts, who are struggling for form. Both teams will want to win for different reasons, but they may have to settle for a draw.

Top betting tip