Preview: Strasbourg vs. Angers - prediction, team news, lineups

Strasbourg take on Angers in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the hosts able to move to within three points of their forthcoming opponents in the table with a victory.

Angers have failed to win any of their last three league matches, with Strasbourg moving away from danger with a crucial three points last weekend.

Match preview

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Indeed, the surprise 2-1 victory at Metz was a huge win in Strasbourg's season, moving them six points clear of 18th-placed Nantes.

With only the top three sides in Ligue 1 boasting a stronger defensive record than Metz so far this season, Thierry Laurey must have feared the worst when Thomas Delaine gave the hosts the lead after only 17 minutes.

However, a brace from Adrien Thomasson flipped the match on its head, with Strasbourg consequently looking like they will have more than enough in the tank to remain in France's top flight for another season.

Much of that is down to Ludovic Ajorque, Habib Diallo and Thomasson scoring for fun since the turn of the year, with a much improved defence behind them allowing Laurey's attack-minded players to express themselves with greater freedom. He will be hoping that is the case once again versus Angers on Sunday.

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Should Angers perform as they have done in recent weeks there is every chance Strasbourg will move even further away from the relegation zone, with Stephane Moulin's side picking up only four points from their last seven matches.

In fairness, there is probably a legitimate case to be made that Angers' top-half position for much of the season has flattered them, with Moulin's side's goal difference now the sixth worst in the league.

Indeed, Thomasson's brace for Strasbourg took him to five league goals for the campaign, which would be enough to make the midfielder Angers' joint top goalscorer alongside Stephane Bahoken. Yet the Cameroon international has not scored in the league since November and is currently injured, leaving Moulin desperately short of attacking threat.

Matters are not much better at the other end at present, either, having shipped six goals in successive defeats against Nice and Nantes. Moulin will be hoping for a more balanced display against Strasbourg on Sunday.

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form: WDLDLW
Strasbourg form (all competitions): DLDLLW

Angers Ligue 1 form: LLWDLL
Angers form (all competitions): LWDLWL

Team News

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Strasbourg are without Kevin Zohi, Sanjin Prcic, Mohamed Simakan, Lebo Mothiba and Matz Sels due to injury.

Former Sunderland defender Lamine Kone will be hoping for a start in defence.

Angers, meanwhile, will travel to Strasbourg without Ibrahim Amadou, Rachid Alioui, Enzo Ebosse and Bahoken due to injury.

Jimmy Cabot will be hoping for a better time of things after being substituted having only come on as a substitute earlier in the loss to Nantes.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Kawashima; Guilbert, Mitrovic, Djiku, Caci; Aholou, Sissoko, Lienard, Thomasson; Diallo, Ajorque

Angers possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Manceau, Traore, Thomas, Doumbia; Coulibaly, Mangani; Capelle, Fulgini, Boufal; Diony

We say: Strasbourg 2-1 Angers

We expect Strasbourg to beat Angers, with the hosts boasting much better offensive quality at present.

Angers simply do not look like a particularly good side at the moment, with a defeat here likely to see them drop into the bottom half.