As both sides dream of qualifying for European football next season, Angers are set to host Toulouse for a vital Ligue 1 clash at the Stade Raymond Kopa on Sunday.
Le SCO have been in poor form lately and will be looking for three points to lay a foundation for a strong end to the season, while Le Tefece will try to build on their win last weekend.
Match preview
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Alexandre Dujeux's Angers have lost two, drawn two and won just one of their five most recent league games, and they were eliminated from the Coupe de France by Reims earlier this week.
Last time out in France's top flight, Le SCO followed up a 1-0 win on the road to the same side that defeated them in the cup with a disappointing 3-3 draw with relegation-threatened Saint-Etienne.
That stalemate left Dujeux's men 12th in the table with 27 points to their name, though they are still only nine points behind sixth-placed Lyon, who occupy the division's spot for entry into the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
A win on Sunday would take the hosts level on points with their opponents in 10th, but given that they have recorded just three league wins at home all season, it would be a surprise if they triumphed this weekend.
However, it is notable that two of those three wins have taken place in 2025, and considering that Angers have only lost one of their last four on their own turf, they could walk away with at least one point.
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Meanwhile, Carles Martinez Novell's Toulouse have only won one of their last seven matches across all competitions, and have lost three of their last six.
That being said, their single victory was a comprehensive 4-1 win in their most recent match against Le Havre, and Le Tefece are now on 30 points, just six behind Lyon despite their poor form.
Back-to-back wins could see Sunday's visitors climb up to eighth in Ligue 1 by leapfrogging both Brest and Lens should results elsewhere prove favourable, and considering that Novell's team have won three and drawn two of their last five games on the road, the manager will be aiming to take maximum points.
Both Toulouse and Angers went home with a share of the spoils after a 1-1 draw last time they met back in October, but with Le Tefece goalscorer, Joshua King, injured this time around, striker Frank Magri will have to follow up his goal against Le Havre with another strong performance if his team are to get the win.
Team News
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Angers boss Dujeux is likely to select Ibrahima Niane as a lone striker on Sunday, and given that Esteban Lepaul may miss the clash, a trio of Zinedine Ferhat, Himad Abdelli and Jim Allevinah will be starting behind him.
Elsewhere, centre-back Cedric Hountondji has not made a matchday squad since January, and Abdoulaye Bamba should be partnered with Jordan Lefort at the heart of defence in his absence.
More positively, midfielder Adrien Hunou is ready to play some part, but he will probably begin the game on the bench.
As for Toulouse, they will be without Joshua King once again as the left-sided forward works his way back from a calf injury he picked up against Auxerre on February 9.
In addition to King, Le Tefece are also expected to be missing Yann Gboho in the frontline, so Frank Magri should start up front, supported by Shavy Warren Babicka and Zakaria Aboukhlal.
Further back, centre-back Rasmus Nicolaisen is unlikely to feature, and though goalkeeper Guillaume Restes will not make this weekend's game, he is anticipated to make a return in March.
Angers possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Raolisoa, Bamba, Lefort, Hanin; Capelle, Belkela; Ferhat, Abdelli, Allevinah; Niane
Toulouse possible starting lineup:
Haug; Sidibe, Cresswell, McKenzie; Donnum, Casseres J., Sierro, Suazo; Babicka, Aboukhlal; Magri
We say: Angers 0-1 Toulouse
Neither side are in the strongest overall form at the moment, but it is hard to overlook the fact that Angers have been better away than at home this season.
Additionally, Toulouse may have been struggling in recent weeks, but their record on the road has remained commendable, so expect a close-fought win for Le Tefece on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
