Reims vs Angers prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-05-20 13:00.
After their stunning mid-season form put them in European qualification contention, Reims have dropped back into the Ligue 1 pack after winning just one of their last six fixtures (D1, L4). They’ve already passed last season’s points tally of 46 so manager Will Still can be proud of his team’s efforts even if he believes they “gave” Lens a 2-1 victory last time out.
The manager changed his formation to help his side beat Lille 1-0 in their last home game, so he could have something else innovative lined up against an Angers side that’s already set for life in Ligue 2 next term. He might have to try something different as Reims have won none of the last four home H2Hs (D3, L1) including last term’s 2-1 reverse fixture that saw them down to ten men before half-time.
It’s now five consecutive defeats for Angers, although they’re not going down without a fight as they scored in each of those matches, most recently leading against Marseille before folding after half-time (L 3-1). But with just one win across their last 27 league outings (D3, L23), they could finish the season with the lowest points total in a completed Ligue 1 season since Troyes managed 18 back in 2015/16.
They’ve lost their last six league road games too, conceding at least twice on each occasion, in a season that they may now feel can’t end soon enough. However, Angers’ struggles may continue as they’ll be under a transfer embargo for the next two windows which could also prevent them appointing Jean-Marc Furlan as their new manager.
Key battle: Folarin Balogun switched his international allegiance to the US soon after scoring two of Reims’ last three goals, both from the penalty spot. He scored one against Angers goalkeeper Paul Bernadoni in August too, since when the latter has faced eight more, conceding from seven of them.
Hot stat: Angers are yet to score in the opening 15 minutes of a league away game this term.