Angers host Auxerre this weekend as they look to climb up the Ligue 1 table, away from the relegation fight.
With only three points and three places separating the two sides in the standings, there is plenty of incentive for both sides to claim victory this weekend.
Match preview
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The hosts are looking to continue their unbeaten start to 2025, having followed up league wins over Brest and Montpellier with a victory against Quevilly in the Coupe de France earlier this week.
Following their promotion from Ligue 2 last season, Angers have had mixed fortunes back in the top division of French football.
After failing to win in any of their opening eight matches, Le SCO have won seven of their last 11 matches in all competitions, marking a significant improvement in their form.
Despite their recent revival, the hosts will also need to start taking their chances in front of goal if they want to avoid being drawn into a relegation battle, as the 13th-placed side have netted just 19 times in 17 league matches.
As well as this, Angers currently have the second-worst home record in Ligue 1, having only gained seven points out of a possible 24 on their own turf this season.
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Luckily for them, this weekend they come up against an Auxerre side that have struggled on their travels this campaign, with only one win and one draw from their eight away games in the league.
Much like their hosts, the visitors have had highs and lows since returning to Ligue 1, having also been promoted from Ligue 2 last season.
After beginning the campaign with a surprise win at home to Nice, things went downhill quickly, as they lost their following four league fixtures.
After their defeat to Montpellier in September, Christophe Pelissier's side began to adapt to life in Ligue 1, with five victories in their last seven games proving they are capable of performing at the highest level.
Included in that purple patch was Auxerre's last league victory, a 1-0 win at home to this weekend's hosts back in November.
Hamed Traore scored a late winner to secure the three points for Auxerre that day, but since then, they have failed to win any of their last five games in the league.
Despite exceeding expectations so far this year and currently sitting in 10th, the visitors are still only six points clear of danger, so getting a win this weekend would help ease any fears of the club getting dragged into the relegation battle.
Team News
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The hosts have a couple of injury concerns ahead of this fixture, with both Sidiki Cherif (thigh) and Justin-Noel Kalumba (ankle) not expected back until later this month.
Although Angers have not scored many goals this season, Esteban Lepaul will look to continue his good recent form, having netted five goals in his last four matches in all competitions.
Meanwhile, Paul Joly will miss this clash for Auxerre due to being sent off in their 0-0 draw against Lille last weekend.
The visitors have several injured players, with the most concerning absence being goalkeeper Donovan Leon, who is out for the next few weeks with a thigh injury.
Elsewhere, Gabriel Osho (knee), Kevin Danois (muscle), Ousoumane Camara (groin) and Ange Loic N'Gatta are all expected to be sidelined this weekend, while both Lasso Coulibaly and Nathan Buayi-Kiala are long-term absentees with cruciate injuries.
Angers possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Hanin, Lefort, Biumla, Arcus; Belkebla, Eudes-Aholou, Allevinah, Abdelli, El Melali; Lepaul
Auxerre possible starting lineup:
De Percin; Menash, Akpa, Jubal, Diamonde, Hoever; Owusu, Diousse, Perrin, Traore; Sinayoko
We say: Angers 1-1 Auxerre
Auxerre have not won in over two months, and with the visitors having a number of injury concerns this weekend, they will not be at full strength.
We think that this game will end in a draw, as Angers look to extend their unbeaten start to the new year.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Tom Humphrey
