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

The hosts have lost all of their three matches this season, while Angers have taken two points from their opening three games.

Match preview

Troyes are the only team in Ligue 1 who have not picked up a point this season after beginning the season with three consecutive defeats.

They looked set to take a point from their opener league game after coming from behind against Montpellier on two occasions, but an 81st-minute striker from Teji Savagnier condemned Troyes to a 3-2 defeat.

Bruno Irles's side conceded three more goals on matchday two as they were easily beaten 3-0 by Toulouse before they travelled to the Groupama Stadium to face Lyon last weekend.

Once again, Troyes struggled defensively as they shipped four goals to lose 4-1 and continue their woeful start to the season.

After losing their opening three games, Troyes are now winless in their previous six Ligue 1 matches, and if they are to end that run this weekend then a defence that has conceded 10 goals this season needs to improve.

Like their hosts, Angers are also winless this season, but they have at least collected two points from their opening three games.

After playing out a goalless draw with Nantes, they faced newly-promoted Auxerre in their first away game of the season.

Within 10 minutes of kick off, Angers were trailing by two goals, but they fought their way back to snatch a point thanks to goals from Lois Diony and Amine Salama.

However, they were unable to replicate their fightback last weekend when they were comfortably beaten by Brest, who cruised to a 3-1 victory.

Gerald Baticle's side will now turn their attention to Sunday's contest, where they will be aiming to clinch their first win of the season, which would also end an 11-game winless away run in Ligue 1.

Troyes Ligue 1 form:

Angers Ligue 1 form:

Team News

Troyes are expected to be without the services of Andreas Bruus and Karim Azamoum due to injury issues, while Abdu Conte is also a doubt.

After utilising a back five in their opening three games, the hosts may decide to adopt a four-man defence in a bid to add numbers to the midfield.

Xavier Chavalerin and Tristan Dingome both featured as second half substitutes last weekend, and they could be brought into the starting lineup for Sunday's contest.

As for the visitors, Ulrick Eneme-Ella and Abdallah Sima are ruled out due to injury issues, while Nabil Bentaleb and Halid Sabanovic are suspended.

Abdoulaye Bamba is expected to replace Sabanovic at right-back to feature in a back four alongside Cedric Hountondji, Miha Blazic and Souleyman Doumbia.

Boufal came off the bench to score last weekend, and he could be included in the starting lineup, as well as Salama who provided the assist for Boufal's effort.

Troyes possible starting lineup:

Gallon; T. Balde, Palmer-Brown, Rami, Larouci; Odobert, Chavalerin, Dingome, Tardieu, M. Balde; Ugbo

Angers possible starting lineup:

Bernardoni; Bamba, Hountondji, Blazic, Doumbia; Capelle, Mendy; Thioub, Ounahi, Boufal; Salama

We say: Troyes 1-2 Angers

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