FC NantesvsAngers SCO

The Battle of the Mid-Table

FC Nantes and Angers SCO are set to clash in what promises to be a tightly contested match. Both teams are hovering around the mid-table in Ligue 1, with Nantes sitting in 14th place and Angers just a notch above in 13th. The stakes are high as both teams aim to climb the standings and secure a more comfortable position.

Nantes' Struggle for Consistency

Nantes has been a team of draws recently, with their last match against Olympique Lyonnais ending in a 1-1 stalemate. This result is part of a larger trend for Nantes, who have drawn four of their last six matches. Despite having offensive talents like Moses Simon and Matthis Abline, who have scored 7 goals each this season, Nantes has struggled to convert opportunities into wins. Their defense has been leaky, conceding 39 goals in 27 matches, which has been a significant factor in their inability to secure victories.

Angers' Return to Ligue 1

Angers SCO, on the other hand, is enjoying their return to Ligue 1 after a successful promotion campaign. However, their recent form has been inconsistent, with a notable win against Auxerre but a loss to Lens in their last outing. Angers has a tendency for high-scoring games, with 79.17% of their matches seeing over 1.5 goals. Key players like Lepaul and Ibrahima Niane have been crucial in their attacking play, but their defense has also shown vulnerabilities, especially in away games where they've lost their last three matches.

Historical Edge to Nantes

Historically, Nantes has had the upper hand in this fixture, especially at home. They have not lost to Angers in their last four home encounters, and Angers' last away win against Nantes was back in 2020. The most common result between these two teams is a 1-1 draw, which has occurred eight times. However, given Nantes' slightly better recent form and home advantage, they are poised to edge this encounter.

Prediction

Given the current form and historical data, Nantes is likely to secure a narrow victory. Both teams have shown a propensity to score, so expect both teams to find the back of the net. The prediction is a 2-1 win for Nantes, with both teams scoring.