The French Ligue 1 goes on this midweek with the Round 15 matches, and in this preview, we would like to take a closer look at two games set for Wednesday, November 29th, 2017, when Angers welcomes Rennes at Stade Raymond Kopa, while Guingamp hosts Montpellier at Stade de Roudourou.
Down below you will find some interesting tips and betting predictions for these two exciting games, so don’t waste your time and join the action here on GetMoreSports.
ANGERS vs. RENNES
3-Way: 1: Angers +125; X: +235 Draw; 2: Rennes +333 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread -0.5: Angers +114; Rennes -120
Total +2.5: Over +131; Under -137
ANGERS
Angers is without a win for five games in a row in the French Ligue 1, recording two draws and three losses in a process. In the previous round they were easily beaten by Troyes on the road, 3:0, and it was their first defeat away from home this season in eight matches. They had an awful game at the defensive end, particularly in the first half when they allowed a couple of easy goals. A much better defensive job is a must if they want to improve their record in the following weeks.
After the first 14 rounds of the French Ligue 1 Angers is in the 16th spot of the table with 14 points, a 17:23 goal difference, and a 2-8-4 record. They are still winless on the home soil in six matches, recording three draws and three losses with a 6:13 goal difference, while they’ve never had a lead at the halftime in front of the home fans, allowing their opponents to score in every single game. On the road, Angers has recorded two victories, five draws and one defeat with an 11:10 goal difference.
The 25-year old striker Karl Toko Ekambi is arguably Angers’ best player this season with five goals and three assists in 13 appearances, while another key player the midfielder Thomas Mangani added two goals and three dishes to his name in 14 matches. The 21-year old talented midfielder Angelo Fulgini, who arrived from Valenciennes this summer, bagged two goals and made two assists in 13 appearances thus far.
The manager Stephane Moulin, who’s in charge since July 2011, doesn’t have any injury worries and he can field his best eleven against Rennes on Wednesday evening.
RENNES
The Red and Blacks are in a great form in the last couple of weeks, as they won five out of their previous six games in all competitions, including a 2:1 victory over Dijon on the road in the French Coupe de la Ligue Round of 32. In the previous round of the French Ligue 1 Rennes won a derby against Nantes, 2:1, in front of the home fans thanks to Wahbi Khazri’s brace, and it was Rennes’ third consecutive victory on the home soil.
After the first 14 rounds of the French Ligue 1 The Red and Blacks are sitting at the ninth place of the table with 18 points, a 17:18 goal difference, and a 5-3-6 record, ten points behind Marseille at the fourth spot, and just four points above the danger zone. At home, they have recorded three wins, one draw, and three losses with a 7:7 goal difference, while on the road they have earned eight points with a 10:11 goal difference and a 2-2-3 record.
The 26-year old winger Wahbi Khazri and a 23-year old midfielder Benjamin Bourigeaud are topping the team’s scoring chart with four goals apiece, while the 23-year old striker Firmin Mubele is right behind them with three goals in 12 appearances this season. Rennes has a young team this year with an average age of 24,5 and we can expect a lot of ups and downs in their form.
The manager Sabri Lamouchi is at the helm for just a couple of weeks, and he doesn’t have serious injury problems among the squad, besides the 19-year old striker Ismaila Sarr who’s sidelined due to a torn tendon.
ANGERS vs. RENNES – Match Prediction
Angers will be looking for the first victory at home this season, but Rennes will be a tough opponent, for sure. The visitors are playing pretty well recently, so I expect to see an exciting game, probably with some goals on both sides.
MY PICK: Both Teams to Score YES (+100)
GUINGAMP vs. MONTPELLIER
3-Way: 1: Guingamp +160; X: +225 Draw; 2: Montpellier +231 at BetDSI Sportsbook
Spread 0: Guingamp -130; Montpellier +129
Total +2: Over -118; Under +112
GUINGAMP
Since the 2:0 victory over Rennes in the ninth round of the French Ligue 1, Guingamp has recorded two draws and four losses, including a 2:0 defeat against Montpellier at home in the French Coupe de la Ligue Round of 32. Obviously, their form is descending recently, and they conceded at least a goal in the last five Ligue 1 matches, while the memories from a heavy 6:0 defeat against Monaco in the 12th round are still fresh. In the previous round they were deservedly beaten by Marseille on the road, 1:0, taking just four shots toward Mandanda’s goal.
Guingamp had a solid start of the season but after a recent poor form, they dropped to the 15th spot of the Ligue 1 table with 15 points, a 14:23 goal difference and a 4-3-7 record. They have recorded three wins, three draws and just one defeat in front of the home fans with a 8:6 goal difference (they were drawing at the halftime in all seven games), while they are the worst team in the French Ligue 1 away from home with one victory and six losses in seven matches with an awful 6:17 goal difference.
The experienced midfielder Mustapha Diallo is a team’s leading scorer with four goals in 11 appearances, but he was on the bench for 90 minutes against Marseille. The 32-year old striker Jimmy Briand bagged three goals in 14 matches this season, while forwards Abdoul Camara and Marcus Thuram added two goals each. The left-back Franck Tabanou, who joined the club from Swansea this summer, is the best assist-maker so far with two dishes in six appearances.
The manager Antoine Kombouare can field his best eleven against Montpellier, as all his players are healthy and ready to go.
MONTPELLIER
Montpellier hammered Lille at home, 3:0, in the previous round of the French Ligue 1, scoring all goals in the first 30 minutes of the game. It was their first victory in the last four matches, after a 1:0 defeat against Rennes, and two consecutive draws with Amiens at home, 1:1, and Lyon on the road, 0:0. Giovanni Sio had another great game against Lille, scoring the second goal of the match, and assisting to Casimir Ninga for the third goal.
After the first 14 rounds of the French Ligue 1 Montpellier is in the seventh spot of the table with 20 points, a 12:8 goal difference and a 5-5-4 record, eight points behind Marseille in the fourth, which leads to the Europa League next season. They have recorded three victories, three draws, and two losses in front of the home fans with 8:4 goal difference, while on the road they have earned two victories, two draws, and two defeats with a 4:4 goal difference, while they are undefeated in the previous four away matches.
The 28-year old striker Giovanni Sio, who arrived this summer from Rennes, is the team’s leading scorer with three goals in 10 appearances this season, while the wingers Isaac Mbenza and Souleymane Camara netted two times so far. Three players are the team’s best assist-makers with two dishes apiece – the left-back Jerome Roussillon, the defensive midfielder Paul Lasne, and a striker Kevin Berigaud.
The manager Michel Der Zakarian doesn’t have any injury worries among the squad, so he can pick up his best eleven for the next clash with Guingamp.
GUINGAMP vs. MONTPELLIER – Match Prediction
A month ago, Guingamp was beaten by Montpellier at home, 2:0, in the French Coupe de la Ligue Round of 32, and they will have a huge motive to bounce back in this one. On the other side, Montpellier is in a decent form and they will try to stay undefeated for five matches in a row away from home. I’m expecting a great game on Wednesday evening, and I’m backing a draw in this one (last year both duels between these two sides ended in a 1:1 draw).
MY PICK: Draw (+225)
