Rennes Vs Angers

Angers will be hoping to secure back-to-back away victories for the first time this season as they travel to Roazhon Park on Sunday to face Rennes in a crucial match on matchday 15 of the Ligue 1 campaign. The stakes are high for both teams, with Rennes coming off a frustrating defeat, while Angers are struggling to escape the threat of relegation.

Last weekend, Rennes suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss at Nantes after conceding a late goal. The defeat kept them in 12th place in the standings, just one point above Angers, who were beaten 3-0 by Lyon. This result leaves Rennes in a precarious position, with the team having struggled in recent weeks and hoping to bounce back in front of their home fans.

Rennes had been riding high at the end of November, enjoying a morale-boosting 5-0 victory over Saint-Étienne, but that high was short-lived. In their most recent outing, the team failed to find the back of the net, losing 1-0 to Nantes. This defeat was part of a concerning run for Rennes, having lost four of their last five Ligue 1 fixtures, with all of those defeats coming without scoring a goal. This poor run has raised questions about their attacking prowess and their ability to cope with the pressure in crucial matches.

Heading into their clash with Angers, Rennes will be looking to make amends for their lackluster recent performances. Despite their struggles, they do have a chance to claim a second consecutive home victory, which would match their longest winning streak at Roazhon Park this season. Their record at home against newly promoted sides has been impressive, with Rennes having won eight of their last nine Ligue 1 home games against such teams. This includes their dominant 5-0 win over Saint-Étienne, which was their first victory under new coach Jorge Sampaoli. So far this season, Rennes has accumulated 13 of their 14 points at home, indicating that they are a different proposition when playing in front of their supporters.

However, Rennes' form in recent home games, especially against mid-to-lower-table sides, has been inconsistent. They have won three straight Ligue 1 meetings against Angers, and a victory on Sunday would mark the first time in club history that they would secure four consecutive wins over the same team in the competition. This would be a significant achievement for Rennes, not just for the points, but for the psychological boost it would provide them as they continue to battle for a more stable position in the league table.

For Angers, the situation is more dire. Their 3-0 loss to Lyon last weekend prevented them from making progress in the standings and distancing themselves from the relegation zone. They are currently just one point above Le Havre, who are in the relegation zone, and only ahead of Saint-Étienne on goal difference. The pressure is mounting on Angers as they fight to avoid a return to Ligue 2 after just one season in the top flight.

Angers have had a somewhat mixed record on the road this season, but they have managed to pick up points in five of their last six away games in Ligue 1, with one of those matches ending in a draw and the others in narrow defeats. Despite struggling to win on the road, Angers have managed to keep the opposition from scoring more than one goal in each of those games, showing some resilience in defense. This solid defensive record is something they will need to continue if they are to stand any chance of securing an important point or three at Roazhon Park on Sunday.

If Angers are to win this match, it will be their first consecutive away victories in Ligue 1 since 2020, a significant milestone for the club. They will be hoping that their recent form, where they have managed to score first in their last three victories, can help them build the momentum they need to secure all three points. So far this season, Angers has yet to lose a match in which they scored the opening goal, providing them with some confidence that they can repeat this achievement against Rennes.

Despite their struggles, Angers have shown some improvement in comparison to last season, with 13 points after 14 matches—five more than they had at this point in the previous Ligue 1 campaign. This represents some progress, but it remains to be seen if they can maintain this form in the second half of the season. Given the competitive nature of Ligue 1, Angers will need to continue to fight for every point if they want to ensure their survival in the top division for another season.

The upcoming match against Rennes will be a test of both teams' resolve. Rennes will need to find their attacking rhythm again and avoid the mistakes that have cost them points in recent matches, while Angers will be hoping to capitalize on Rennes' vulnerabilities and pick up a crucial away victory. The game promises to be an exciting and tightly contested affair, with both teams having plenty to play for as the season enters its mid-point. Rennes will be eager to get back on track and secure all three points in front of their home crowd, while Angers will be desperate to avoid defeat and continue their fight for survival in Ligue 1.