Angersvs.Nice

Le SCO have endured back-to-back defeats at the start of their competitive schedule, whereas Les Aiglons have only managed to collect the single point from a pair of contests.

Match preview

Following a measly 18-point return during a troubling 2022-23 season, Angers finished bottom of the Ligue 1 pile and dropped out of the division for the first time in eight years, however a period of much-needed stability at the club allowed them to bounce back at the first attempt last campaign.

That being said, it has not been a fairytale return to the top flight for the Ligue 2 runners-up, who have lost consecutive defeats against Lens and Lille to commence their term on a negative note, with Le SCO joining Lyon and Saint-Etienne as the only sides yet to score in the division so far.

A trip to Champions League-contending Lille last Saturday was always likely to be an uphill task for Angers, who were condemned to their second defeat in as many Ligue 1 matches due to strikes either side of the half-time break from ex-Belgium international Thomas Meunier and substitute Mohamed Bayo.

Firing in 15 Ligue 2 goals on the way to promotion last season, former Bristol City marksman Lois Diony was the leading goalscorer for Le SCO during 2023-24, when the French forward enjoyed his most productive campaign in front of goal since taking to the professional stage.

Collecting 43 points from 19 league bouts at Stade Raymond Kopa in the second tier, Angers will be looking to make their base a fortress as they strive to avoid an immediate return to Ligue 2 after only managing to earn 12 points at home throughout the entirety of their most recent season in Ligue 1.

After a lowly ninth-placed finish in Ligue 1 during the 2022-23 campaign - the club's poorest since 2015 - Nice were back to competing in the upper echelons of the French top flight last season, ending up in fifth and securing a place in the revamped League phase of the Europa League.

Harbouring ambitions of fighting for continental honours later in the term, Les Aiglons experienced a reality check during the opening weekend of the Ligue 1 campaign on August 18, when a first-half opener from Mohamed-Ali Cho was not enough to prevent the visitors losing 2-1 at the home of second-tier champions Auxerre.

Seven days later Nice hit the front first again at Allianz Riviera against Toulouse but were ultimately unable to hold on for a maiden victory of the season, with substitute Shavy Babicka arriving off the bench to force a share of the spoils for Carles Martinez's troops.

As a result, it is fair to say that the reign of Franck Haise at Les Aiglons has not commenced flawlessly, with the 53-year-old yet to win a competitive fixture since replacing Italian head manager Francesco Farioli, who secured a summer switch to Eredivisie giants Ajax.

There has also been plenty of high-profile changes to Nice's playing staff during the transfer window, with centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo moving to West Ham United in the Premier League, before Sunday's hosts announced the loan arrival of Borussia Dortmund prodigy Youssoufa Moukoko.

Angers Ligue 1 form:

L

L

Nice Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Jumping ship following Clermont's relegation to Ligue 2, Jim Allevinah will don the colours of Angers after recovering from a groin injury, with the attacker expected back next month.

Justin Kalumba is set to be on the sidelines until the end of the calendar year due to a broken ankle, with the academy graduate's absence limiting Le SCO's options on the left flank.

Nice are contending with an injury crisis in attacking areas at the start of this season, with last season's leading marksman Terem Moffi out until April due to a cruciate ligament injury.

Les Aiglons are also unable to call upon the services of Jeremie Boga, who enjoyed a productive maiden term at the club following a summer switch from Atalanta BC in 2023.

Signing from Egyptian outfit Al Ahly on Thursday afternoon, Mohamed Abdelmonem could make his Nice debut as part of a centre-back trio in Angers this weekend.

Angers possible starting lineup:

Fofana; Arcus, Bamba, Hountondji, Lefort, Ekomie; Capelle, Ferhat, Belkhdim; Diony, Abdelli

Nice possible starting lineup:

Bulka; Lotomba, Bombito, Dante; Clauss, Boudaoui, Rosario, Ndombele, Bard; Cho, Moukoko

We say: Angers 1-2 Nice

After failing to find the net during their opening two matches, we believe that Angers will have a goal to celebrate on Sunday afternoon at Stade Raymond Kopa.

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