Angers vs PSG preview
Watch Angers vs PSG preview, as Angers hosts PSG in the Ligue 1 as PSG are eight points advanced against second placed Marseille in the race for title, and Angers are in the bottom with 14 points, from the 16th position at stade Jean Bouin.
Angers have been present in Ligue 1 since 2015, and they finished 14th in France’s top flight last term, some nine points clear of the relegation zone, but Le SCO are currently in a very difficult spot in the division.
Unless something extraordinary happens over the next few weeks, Angers will be playing Ligue 2 football next season, as they are currently bottom of the table on 14 points.
A disappointing campaign has seen Alexandre Dujeux‘s side record just three wins from their 31 matches, drawing five and losing the other 23, which has left them 17 points from the safety of 16th position.
There are only seven games left in France’s top flight, so one of the biggest comebacks of all time would have to happen to prevent Angers from being relegated to the second tier for next season.
The Black and Whites will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Clermont, which followed a 1-0 victory over Lille, and they will now welcome the best side in the division, who they have lost against in each of the last 13 top-flight meetings between the two sides.
Team news and Injury
Angers will be without the services of Nabil Bentaleb on Friday through suspension, while the home side are also missing a number of players due to fitness problems.
Indeed, Pierrick Capelle, Farid El Melali, Amine Salama, Miha Blazic, Ilyas Chetti, Ali Kalla and Ulrick Eneme-Ella will all miss out for the basement side against the reigning champions.
Head coach Dujeux could also be missing Halid Sabanovic and Cedric Hountondji, while Bentaleb’s absence could lead to Jean-Matteo Bahoya being introduced in central midfield.
As for PSG, Timothee Pembele, Renato Sanches, Marco Verratti, Nordi Mukiele, Presnel Kimpembe and Neymar will miss the contest through injury.
Galtier’s squad has been stretched due to the absences, but with no European football at this stage of the campaign, the players have been able to recover in recent days, so it could be the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Lens last time out.
A 3-5-2 formation should see Mbappe and Messi operate as the front two, with Vitinha expected to keep his spot in central midfield alongside Fabian Ruiz and Carlos Soler.
Angers vs PSG head-to-head stats
PSG have an impressive recent record against Angers and have won 18 out of the last 20 matches that have been played between the two teams, with the other two matches ending in draws.
PSG are unbeaten in their last 28 matches against Angers in all competitions their longest such run against a single opponent.
Angers have lost each of their last 13 matches against PSG in Ligue 1 and have conceded a total of 39 goals in these games. If Angers lose this game against PSG, victories for Brest, Nantes, and Auxerre could result in the home side’s relegation to Ligue 2.
PSG have won 17 of their last 18 matches in Ligue 1 against teams starting the matchday at the bottom of the league table, with their only defeat during this period coming against Dijon in 2019.
Angers vs PSG prediction
PSG have an exceptional squad at their disposal but have largely failed to justify their potential so far this season. Lionel Messi has stepped up for his side in his last two games and will look to add to his goal tally in this match.
Angers have been in abysmal form this season and will need a miracle to avoid defeat this week. PSG are the better team on paper and should be able to win this game.
