Reims vs Angers prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-02-15 16:15.
[p]Samba Diawara’s audition to become Reims manager on a permanent basis has not gone to plan so far. The former Mali international was appointed as caretaker earlier this month following the dismissal of Luka Elsner, but was left criticising his squad for “playing with fear” as his first league game in charge ended in a chastening 4-0 defeat to Lyon.[/p]
[p]That was not only the club’s heaviest loss since January 2022, but it also extended their miserable winless run in the top-flight to ten games (D5, L5). The Red and Whites are therefore dangling just four points above the relegation zone ahead of this round, and a return to the Stade Auguste-Delaune is unlikely to inspire much confidence, as only one club in the division has picked up fewer points on home soil than Reims’ ten (W2, D4, L5).[/p]
[p]History suggests they might be able to improve on that record against Angers, as the visitors have won just two of the last 18 H2Hs (D8, L8), including a 3-1 defeat earlier this season. The Black and Whites sit only one point above their opponents in the table, having lost 2-0 to Marseille in their most recent fixture.[/p]
[p]That was the seventh league game in which Alexandre Dujeux’s side have failed to score this season, while it extended their winless Ligue 1 run to three outings (D1, L2). Dreams of finishing a Ligue 1 season in the top half for the first time in nine years have therefore taken a bit of a hit, although hope can be drawn from the fact Angers have already won more away games (three) than in their last two campaigns at this level.[/p]
[p]Key battle: Reims would love to see Junya Ito on the scoresheet given he has lost only two of the 13 Ligue 1 fixtures in which he has netted (W8, D3). He will be trying to beat Angers’ Yahia Fofana, who ahead of this round has made more saves (85) in the French top-flight than any other goalkeeper this season. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Angers’ away fixtures in Ligue 1 this season average a division-low 1.8 goals per game..[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]