Seeking consecutive away victories for the first time all season, Angers travel to Roazhon Park on Sunday for a date with Rennes on matchday 15 of the Ligue 1 campaign.
A late goal conceded last weekend sent Stade Rennais to a 1-0 defeat at Nantes, keeping them in 12th, one point above Les Scoistes, who were beaten 3-0 by Lyon.
Match preview
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The emotional high that Rennes experienced at the end of November was short-lived as they followed up a 5-0 triumph over Saint-Etienne with a dismal display in front of goal last week.
Heading into this match, the club from Brittany have lost four of their previous five Ligue 1 affairs, failing to find the back of the net in each of those defeats.
They have a chance this weekend to claim consecutive domestic triumphs at Roazhon Park, which would equal their longest winning run at home this season.
In eight of their last nine Ligue 1 home games against newly promoted sides, Les Rouge et Noirs have emerged victorious, including that lopsided triumph over Saint-Etienne last time out.
That was the first victory for Jorge Sampaoli since taking charge of this team, with 13 of Rennes' 14 points this season occurring at Roazhon Park.
Stade Rennais have won their last three Ligue 1 meetings versus Angers, and another triumph on Sunday would mark the first time in club history that they collect four successive victories against them in this competition.
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Another poor home outing for Angers last weekend kept them from progressing further up the standings and putting some more distance between themselves and relegation.
As things stand, Alexandre Dujeux's men are just a point above Le Havre and a return to Ligue 2, while they are only ahead of Saint-Etienne on goal difference.
Les Scoistes have claimed at least a point in five of their previous six away games in the top flight, conceding a goal or fewer each time.
With a victory this weekend, the club from Pays de la Loire will win consecutive away matches in this competition for the first time since 2020.
Angers have won their last three domestic encounters when netting the opening goal and have not lost all season when drawing first blood.
After 14 matchdays this season, they have collected 13 points, five more than they managed at this stage of their previous Ligue 1 campaign (2022-23).
Team News
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An ACL injury will keep Alidu Seidu out for the remainder of the season, while Mikayil Faye will also miss this match for Rennes with a red card suspension.
Sampaoli made just one change to the side that began their match against Les Verts, with Adrien Truffert replacing Aboubakar Nagida in the starting 11.
Due to a broken ankle, Angers will be missing Justin Kalumba on Sunday, while Sidiki Cherif and Emmanuel Biumla are doubtful because of thigh injuries.
In their previous away fixture, it was Himad Abdelli who notched the winning goal, while Yahia Fofana made one stop to collect a clean sheet.
Rennes possible starting lineup:
Mandanda; Hateboer, Ostigard, Wooh; Assignon, James, Matusiwa, Nagida; Blas, Gouiri; Kalimuendo
Angers possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Arcus, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin; Aholou, Belkebla; Allevinah, Abdelli, Melali; Dieng
We say: Rennes 2-1 Angers
Rennes have scored in each of their 26 Ligue 1 home fixtures against Angers, and though the visitors have been decent away from home, Stade Rennais look much more cohesive and sharper in front of goal in Brittany.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
