Angers and Troyes have little to play for but pride in the penultimate Ligue 1 action at Stade Raymond Kopa on Saturday.
Both clubs have been relegated to Ligue 2, so this weekend's meeting is an opportunity to end extended runs without maximum points.
Match preview
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Angers' relegation to the second division in France was confirmed a while back, but Alexandre Dujeux's troops have remained winless nonetheless.
The side from Western France have won just three games all season, with a sole victory coming since the turn of the year, a 1-0 triumph over Lille in early April.
They did find a way to halt a five-game losing run, with last week's 2-2 result at Reims securing the Black and Whites' first point since April 8.
Their final game at Raymond Kopa should provide motivation, especially as they welcome a side that have also lost their top-flight status.
However, Angers have lost more games (13) and conceded more home goals (35) than any other team in Ligue 1, making them unfancied on Saturday.
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Troyes have not pulled up trees this season, failing to make it past year two after only regaining promotion to Ligue 1 in 2021.
ESTAC reigned supreme in Ligue 2 in 2020-21 but have had it tough in the top division, ending 15th last season and failing to end outside this year's bottom four.
Despite taking over in November, Patrick Kisnorbo was unable to instigate a turnaround in their season, claiming just one victory in 21 league fixtures.
Troyes have not tasted victory since defeating Strasbourg 3-2 at the start of January, which was Kisnorbo's second Ligue 1 game in charge.
Maximum points at the time saw the now-relegated side secure four points from six, but they fell back into old habits, with only five points from the most recent 57 available.
Interestingly, three of Troyes' four wins this term have been on the road, giving them a possibility of success this weekend.
Team News
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Paul Bernardoni was replaced by Yahia Fofana between the sticks last week, but the first-choice goalkeeper should return to the lineup on Saturday.
Faouzi Ghoulam, Amine Salama and Souleyman Doumbia have been absent for Angers through injury, and the trio are likely to miss out this weekend.
Gauthier Gallon received a straight red last weekend for professional handball, and Mateusz Lis is expected to replace the suspended goalkeeper for Troyes.
Yoann Salmier went off late on against Strasbourg, and the defender may be touch-and-go for Saturday's clash.
Florian Tardieu and Renaud Ripart are injured, while Wilson Odobert and Alexis Tibidi are with the France Under-20 Squad at the World Cup.
Angers possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Thioub, Valery, Hountondji, Bamba, Sabanovic; Abdelli, Mendy, Hunou; Sima, Niane
Troyes possible starting lineup:
Lis; Bruus, Rami, Palmer-Brown; Balde, Kouame, Chavalerin, Conte; Lopes, Ugbo, Larouci
We say: Angers 1-1 Troyes
Angers have netted in 12 of their last 13 games at Stade Raymond Kopa, while Troyes' have lacked consistency in finding the back of the net on the road — six times in 10 away games.
There is little between both clubs; thus, a low-scoring draw could be in the offing on Saturday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
