Lorient vs AC Ajaccio prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-02-18 14:00.
Early season hopes of a European push are fading quickly for Lorient, who saw their poor run continue with a 1-0 defeat at Nantes last time out. After their best ten-game start to a season this century, a run of just two wins from the following 13 Ligue 1 matches leaves Les Merlus five points adrift of the top-five ahead of this round (D5, L6), though manager Régis Le Bris’ believes it’s all part of his ongoing project, stating that Lorient “took a step forward” despite their defeat.
Despite the confidence of Le Bris, the January transfer window may prove a tipping point in Lorient’s season with the loss of Dango Ouattara and Terem Moffi, who were responsible for over 50% of their league goals this term (18) clearly affecting their output. Problems exist in defence too, with their 35 goals conceded the most amongst top-half sides ahead of the weekend.
The visit of Ajaccio could be a welcome one then considering that no Ligue 1 side has scored fewer than their 18 goals so far this term. That bluntness in attack continued en route to a 3-0 defeat at Nice last weekend which kept the promoted outfit rooted inside the relegation zone, although they’re just a point from safety before this round of fixtures.
Solving their problems up front will be at the top of Olivier Pantaloni’s agenda then, as his side have scored in just two of their last seven league games (W1, L6). He’ll want a quick fix, as an inability to get on the scoresheet appears to be leaving Ajaccio exposed at the back, with Pantaloni’s side conceding the first goal in a whopping 19 of their 23 league fixtures!
Players to watch: After their January sales, Lorient may turn to Enzo Le FĂ©e to fill the goalscoring void, though only one of his four league goals this term have arrived on home soil. MounaĂŻm El Idrissy may prove to be the man of the moment for Ajaccio, as three of his four goals have arrived on the road this term, three coming after half-time.
Hot stat: Of the 18 competitive H2Hs contested between these two sides, only two have been decided by more than a one-goal margin – both 2-0 home wins for Lorient.