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

Angers take on Lens in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the two sides separated by only five points in the top half of the table.

The home side won the reverse fixture 3-1 in Lens in November.

Match preview

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Despite performing above expectations for most of the campaign, Angers' form has dipped in recent weeks, picking up only eight points from their nine games played in this calendar year.

In the absence of their injured top goalscorer Stephane Bahoken, they have desperately struggled for goals, scoring only once in their last four league games.

However, Stephane Moulin's side have kept clean sheets in two of those games, including in a 0-0 draw at Strasbourg last weekend. Thierry Laurey's side had been picking up form of late, with Ludovic Ajorque and Habib Diallo both dangerous in attack, so a point was a respectable return for both sides in the end.

Moulin will be hoping his side can produce a similar performance to the one which helped his side to an impressive 3-1 win in Lens in November, which was at a time when his side were playing with greater freedom and confidence.

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However, Lens have significantly picked up once again in recent weeks, remaining unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions to progress in the French Cup and climb to fifth in the table.

Having only been promoted last season, a Europa League qualification position would have been unthinkable for Franck Haise's side, but there is every chance they could achieve that feat if they remain as difficult to beat as they have been in recent weeks.

Haise's side secured an expected 2-1 victory at home to bottom-placed Dijon, with Seko Fofana and Simon Banza striking either side of half time to seal an invaluable three points. Lens were certainly helped on their way by Aboubakar Kamara, who is on loan at Dijon from Fulham, being sent off late on.

With four sides all two points behind Lens in the table, only a win at Angers will guarantee that they remain in the lofty position of fifth come the end of the weekend.

Angers Ligue 1 form: LWDLLD
Angers form (all competitions): WDLWLD

Lens Ligue 1 form: LWDDDW
Lens form (all competitions): WDDWDW

Team News

Angers will be without Enzo Ebosse and Jimmy Cabot due to knee injuries.

Bahoken and Rachid Alioui are thought to be close to returning to first-team action, but the visit of Lens may come a little too soon for them.

Lens are likely to travel to Angers without Ignatius Ganago due to a muscle injury, but otherwise Haise appears to have a clean bill of health to choose from.

Former Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta will be hoping to score his 10th league goal of the season, having been stuck on nine in his past three outings.

Angers possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Bamba, Traore, Thomas, Manceau; Amadou, Mangani; Coulibaly, Fulgini, Thioub; Diony

Lens possible starting lineup:
Leca; Gradit, Bade, Fortes; Clauss, Doucoure, Fofana, Haidara; Kakuta; Kalimuendo, Sotoca

We say: Angers 1-2 Lens

We can envisage Lens gaining revenge on their opponents by extending their unbeaten run with a marginal victory on Sunday.

With the likes of Kakuta in attack, the visitors appear to have a little more class and confidence going forward, although that could change if Bahoken returns from injury for Angers.