Angers vs Lens prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-11-04 20:00.
It’s now five straight defeats for Angers, who sit bottom of the Ligue 1 standings after a meek 2-0 loss at Monaco last time out. In turn, history is firmly against them in what has so far been a nightmare eighth-successive season amongst the elite, with each of the last six fully-completed Ligue 1 editions seeing the team sitting bottom at the start of November going on to be relegated.
A win is the only outcome that gives Le SCO a realistic chance of spending the World Cup break outside the bottom-four. But home form offers no respite either, and false starts are a common theme, with Angers conceding first in each of their last six home outings (W1, L5), perhaps explaining why they find themselves amongst the league’s worst home performers.
Of all teams Angers would hate to play next, Lens are a fully-deserving second only to PSG. Lens thrashed Toulouse 3-0 last time out for a fifth clean-sheet win in seven matches, and another victory will see them sit at least three points clear of nearest chasers Rennes and Lorient going into the final round prior to Qatar 2022.
While Lens ended October as the top-half’s lowest away scorers, they compensate in defence, as early February still marks the most recent occasion Franck Haise’s men conceded more than a goal in any away game (0-2 vs Lorient). Memorably, they followed that up with a 2-1 comeback win against Angers at Stade Raymond-Kopa, making it four away H2Hs unbeaten!
Players to watch: Rennes are amongst Lens’ rivals for a top-three finish, but they couldn’t keep out Angers’ Amine Salama back on 23 October. However, his fledgling record from goalscoring games is still dire (D1, L2), and Loïs Openda may well add to that if Salama does score, as he netted a second-half treble against Toulouse in the previous round!
Hot stat: Ahead of the round, Angers have the league’s worst home goal difference between the 31st minute and half-time (GF 0, GA 5).