Troyes vs Angers prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-08-27 13:00.
Many predicted another year of fighting relegation for Troyes after they avoided the drop by a mere six points last campaign. Sure enough, three losses and ten goals conceded already suggests those forecasts could turn into reality. Bruno Irles’ side are now the only team not to have picked up a point in the first three gameweeks, and a loss by more than one goal on Sunday would make it the fourth worst start to a Ligue 1 season by any team after four matches.
If Troyes are to free themselves from such an unwanted record, they need to rectify the dismal domestic form that stretches back to last season – last Friday’s 4-1 thrashing away at Lyon means it’s just one league win in 11 for Irles’ men (D3, L7), with eight of those fixtures seeing them concede the opening goal. Troyes have conceded before the fifth minute in two of their opening three games, so battening down the hatches early doors might be a sensible tactic if they are to finally get off the mark for the season.
In what could be an early relegation six-pointer, Angers make the trip east to the Stade de l'Aube hoping to address their own shaky start to the campaign. Sunday’s 3-1 humbling at home to fellow relegation candidates Brest means the Black and Whites are also winless after three games (D2, L1), so the stakes will be high in Sunday’s contest that finished in a predictably tight 1-1 draw last season.
There is no definitive favourite here, but Angers will be wary of an abysmal away league record that saw them pick up just two wins on the road last season, including none in their last 11 (D4, L7). GĂ©rald Baticle will hope his squad, boosted by 11 new arrivals, can provide more of a robust spine if they are to extend their Ligue 1 stay to a club-record nine years.
Players to watch: Battle of the penalty takers! All of Troyes midfielder Florian Tardieu’s last 11 goals have come from the spot, including two this season, while former Southampton midfielder Sofiane Boufal is Angers’ chief taker from 12 yards, netting five times from the spot for club and country since the beginning of last season.
Hot stat: Five of Troyes’ last six league games at home have seen a goal scored on or after the 85th minute.