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

sportsmole.co.uk, 5 August 2022, 23:40

After securing a top half finish and winning the Coupe de France last term, Nantes will hope that they can enjoy another successful season this time around, beginning with an away encounter against Angers.

The visitors, meanwhile, ended the 2021-22 campaign in 14th place, and their main priority for this season will be to avoid a relegation battle.

Match preview

Angers are preparing for their eighth consecutive season in Ligue 1 after finishing seven points clear of the bottom three last term.

Saturday's hosts have seen the likes of Mohamed-Ali Cho and Angelo Fulgini depart over the summer, while they have made their own additions, including Cedric Hountondji and Adrien Hunou, who have arrived from Clermont Foot and Minnesota respectively.

While they have been active in the transfer market, they have also been busy on the pitch, participating in seven pre-season friendlies.

Three of those seven matches resulted in victory, while they concluded their pre-season with a heavy 6-0 defeat to Sevilla before drawing 2-2 with Serie A opponents Spezia.

After winning their last two home league games of the last season, Angers have the chance to claim three consecutive home wins in Ligue 1 for the first time since September 2019.

Nantes, meanwhile, enjoyed a successful season last term, which culminated in their first major trophy since 2001.

They managed to finish in a respectable ninth place, but their impressive league campaign was overshadowed by a memorable cup run.

Antoine Kombouare guided his side to cup glory after a Ludovic Blas spot-kick proved enough to help Nantes beat Nice 1-0 in the Coupe de France final.

As a result of their cup win, Nantes took part in last weekend's French Super Cup where they ultimately fell to a disappointing 4-0 defeat to French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Sunday's visitors will put the Super Cup defeat behind them as they look to extend their unbeaten record against Angers to five matches.

Angers pre-season form:

Nantes pre-season form:

Nantes form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are also without the services of last season's Sofiane Boufal, who is sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Hountondji will make his competitive Angers debut, and the 28-year-old could partner Miha Blazic in the centre of defence.

Hunou is also set to make his official appearance for the club, with the summer signing expected to lead the line for the hosts on Sunday.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Charles Traore, who is a long-term injury absentee, while Jean-Charles Castelletto is suspended after receiving a red card in the Super Cup defeat.

With Castelletto unavailable, Dennis Appiah could drop into a back three, while Fabio may slot into Appiah's vacated left wing-back role.

Summer signing Mostafa Mohamed made a second half appearance last week, and the 24-year-old could be given his first start for Nantes on Sunday.

Angers possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Sabanovic, Hountondji, Blazic, Doumbia; Mendy, Ounahi, Capelle; Sima, Thioub, Hunou

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lafont; Appiah, Pallois, Girotto; Coco, Chirivella, Blas, Sissoko, Silva; Simon, Mohamed

We say: Angers 1-1 Nantes

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2021
Abdallah Sima
Adrien Hunou
Angelo Fulgini
Angers
Antoine Kombouare
Cedric
Cedric Hountondji
Charles Traore
Clermont
Clermont Foot
Coupe de France
Dennis Appiah
France
Friendlies
Jean-Charles Castelletto
Ligue 1
lineups
Ludovic Blas
Miha Blazic
Mohamed Ali
Mohamed Ali Cho
Mohamed-Ali Cho
Mostafa Mohamed
Nantes
possible lineups
predicted scorelines
prediction
Serie A
Sevilla
Sofiane Boufal
Spezia
team news

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