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

Meanwhile, Lyon find themselves ninth - 25 points clear of Angers - having thrashed Le SCO 5-0 in the reverse fixture back in September.

Match preview

Angers head into Saturday's clash on a miserable 16-game winless run in Ligue 1, having recorded two draws and 14 losses since their last league victory.

Believe it or not, Le SCO suffered 13 consecutive defeats between late September and early February, before achieving back-to-back draws against Lorient and Auxerre.

However, Angers swiftly returned to losing ways last weekend, suffering a 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg, although Abdel Bouhazama's men managed to rack up 10 shots while enjoying 64% possession.

Bouhazama replaced sacked manager Gerald Baticle during the World Cup break, but the new boss has failed to turn things around, taking just two points from a possible 27 since the restart.

When you look at the bigger picture, Angers have taken 10 points from a possible 72 this season, so they look destined to suffer relegation to Ligue 2.

Meanwhile, Lyon suffered a disappointing defeat at relegation-threatened Auxerre last time out, as the hosts came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory on home soil.

Moussa Dembele opened the scoring on 36 minutes, but two goals in two second-half minutes saw Auxerre turn the game on its head, damaging Lyon's European aspirations in the process.

After managing one win in six matches, OL chalked up a four-game unbeaten run between late January and mid-February, taking 10 points from a possible 12 to raise spirits at Groupama Stadium.

However, last weekend's defeat to Auxerre has halted the momentum gained by Laurent Blanc's men, and they have now lost nine of their 24 league games this season.

It would not be unfair to say that Lyon have struggled for consistency throughout the campaign, although they should have more than enough quality to overcome lowly Angers.

Angers Ligue 1 form:

L

L

L

D

D

L

Angers form (all competitions):

L

L

D

L

D

L

Lyon Ligue 1 form:

L

W

D

W

W

L

Lyon form (all competitions):

W

D

W

W

W

L

Team News

Angers currently have five players absent due to injury, with Lois Diony, Ferid El Melali, Yahia Fofan, Ali Kalla and Ulrick Eneme-Ella set to miss Saturday's clash.

Former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United midfielder Nabil Bentaleb will continue to captain the team and will aim to enhance his tally of three goals and three assists this weekend.

Top scorer Alexandre Lacazette missed Lyon's defeat to Auxerre last time out due to a thigh problem, with Moussa Dembele joining Amin Sarr in attack.

Lacazette has bagged 18 goals and five assists across all competitions this term, so Blanc will be hoping that the ex-Arsenal forward is fit enough to feature on Saturday.

OL look set to be without the injured midfield duo of Corentin Tolisso and Houssem Aouar for the foreseeable future, while teenage defender Malo Gusto is also sidelined with a groin problem.

Angers possible starting lineup:

Bernardonia; Valery, Hountondji, Blazic, Ghoulam; Abdelli, Capelle, Bentaleb, Doumbia; Sima, Niane

Lyon possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Diomande, Lovren, Lukeba; Kumbedi, Caqueret, Mendes, Tagliafico; Cherki; Dembele, Barcola

We say: Angers 0-2 Lyon

Having claimed a measly two wins in Ligue 1 all season, Angers are not likely to prevent Lyon from leaving Stade Raymond Kopa with all three points on Saturday.

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