Lille will host Angers in the Ligue 1 match at the Stade Pierre Mauro on Sunday.
They are currently 7th in the table and Angers are fighting for relegation. Lille, the 2020-21 league champions, have not had a bad run of results this season, including winning 7 of their first 14 games this season and moving into first place.
The 2020-21 French champions had a tumultuous start to Paulo Fonseca’s reign at Lille, including a 7-1 thrashing of PSG, before winning three straight against Lens, Strasbourg and Monaco in October.
Les Dogues went on a run of three straight wins, draws and defeats, scoring 15 and 19 goals respectively in those games, and although the results have dipped somewhat, they are well ahead of Lyon and Rennes in terms of expected goals. Remy Cabella’s impressive form, averaging three key assists in recent weeks, alongside Jonathan David’s newfound scoring ability, has seen him move behind Kylian Mbappe and Neymar in the Ligue 1 table. 4 points from Marseille, fourth place.
Given that Fonseca’s men have played against other teams in the top nine, I expect ever-improving Lille to struggle to make the most of an advantageous fixture and keep in touch with the bottom four. side.
However, their overall form has been poor, losing all five of their matches and not winning since 23 October. And Angers is in last place, with only 8 points in the first 14 games. They are currently on a six-game losing streak, meaning boss Gerald Baticle could have one last chance this weekend.
LOSC vs Angers Prediction
Given the polarizing form of these two teams, this will be one of the easier games to predict this weekend.
Angers look unwinnable at the moment and with his side on a six-game losing streak, boss Baticle is running out of ideas. Lille, on the other hand, are one of the league’s top scorers and will likely relish the chance to play the worst defense in Ligue 1.
Lille have drawn their last two games but this will likely be a comfortable win at home.
Head-to-head
The final result between these games was in favor of Lilla. They have won 3 of their last 6 meetings with Angers and lost just once, but are yet to lose against their Stade Pierre-Mauro opponents until January 2021.
Angers currently have the worst defense in Ligue 1, conceding 33 goals, more than any team in the league. They have also conceded just 15 goals, making them one of the most turbulent teams in the league. Lille have scored 26 goals so far and although they are only in 7th place, only three teams have scored more. The winners are Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Rennes.
Lille’s Jonathan David has scored nine goals so far, putting him third in Ligue 1 with 11 behind Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Angers have only won twice so far and are leading by one game. They won 0-1 in Nice in mid-September.
Line-up
Lille Expected starting lineup:
Andre, Gomes; Ounas, Cabella, Bamba; David, Chevalier; Diakite, Djalo, Fonte, Weah.
Angers Expected starting lineup:
Melali; Ounahi, Bentaleb, Abdelli; Hunou, Salama, Fofana; Capelle, Hountondji, Amadou, Blazic.
Betting tips
Conclusion – Lille win
Lille to score at least 2 goals – Yes (Angers have conceded two or more goals in 11 of their 14 matches this season).
Jonathan David to score for Lille – Yes (David has not scored since October 14, but against a weak defense he should be hopeful of finding the net).
Where to watch
Voot broadcasts this match.