On Sunday afternoon, Lens and Angers will square off looking for a win to move the club into a European position in the Ligue 1 standings with kickoff at 5 pm.
Lens are currently 10th in the table in a bizarre turn of events while their opponent’s Angers are languishing down in the 13th spot with four successive losses in Ligue 1.
Aiming to win the Europa League this season, Lens will have to battle inconsistency in their performances.
After narrowly missing out on European qualification last year, the Blood and Gold have won three games in 12 league matches—losing five of their other fixtures.
In a positive note, each of those victories has come since the turn of the year, but they have been left playing catch-up in a hotly-contested race.
After winning their previous match against Bordeaux 3-2, Lens drew 1-1 with Lyon, playing a rival side ahead of them in the standings. Jonathan Clauss scored his third goal and ninth assist during the Lyon match.
Despite sitting in the 13th spot, Angers are aware that they are on the brink of becoming embroiled in a relegation fight with just eight points, the difference between themselves and bottom place. Gerald Baticle’s team has also lost four games in a row and seven of their last nine in all competitions if that period is extended to the middle of December.
Angers vs RC Lens Head to Head
Both sides have 12 games against each other, with each side taking three wins and six draws. Here is a look at their previous encounters
Home
- Nice 1-0 Angers
- Angers 0-1 Strasbourg
- Marseille 5-2 Angers
- Angers 2-1 Troyes
- Lorient 0-0 Angers
Away
- Lens 1-1 Lyon
- Lens 3-2 Bordeaux
- Lorient 2-0 Lens
- Lens 0-2 Marseille
- Saint Etienne 1-2 Lens
Angers Team News
Jimmy Cabot is expected to miss out for Angers as he was withdrawn early in the last game. However, Vincent Manceau, a substitute in that match, should return to the starting lineup this time.
Lens Team News
Corentin Jean, Wesley Said and Jonathan Gradit are all closing in on a return from injury, but Haise may not risk them against Lens. The Pole could again start in goal with Przemyslaw Frankowski among the replacements.
Prediction and Odds
Angers will feel confident about taking on inconsistent opponents despite their recent poor run of results.
- Lens Win
- Both Teams to Score
- Goals Over 1.5
