Angers vs Stade Reims Prediction: A low scoring encounter

Angers welcome Stade Reims to the Stade Raymond Kopa on Sunday, September 29, 2024, a match that could prove decisive in their Ligue 1 destinies. Angers come 18th with a rather dismal start into the current season, having hitherto failed to win any match, having drawn two, and lost three, thus putting them under tremendous pressure to achieve their first win. Reims occupies 6th position, being in a relatively good form with two wins, two draws, and one defeat, and they will definitely try to maintain such an unbeaten streak.

While Angers come into this tie on the back of an extremely poor run, having failed to win any of their last nine games. Inability to score enough goals and scoring mediocre goals have been some significant issues for Angers.

The Angers have consistently deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has been an attempt to balance defense and attack. However, creating clear-cut chances and developing possession into goals has been the problem. In their last match against Nantes, Angers controlled 50% of the ball but only managed one shot on target. Also, long balls-42%-and crosses-25%-point out the preference to make use of direct plays with the aim of hitting their forwards quickly, though up to now, this has not brought significant results.

Defensively, Angers leaked goals-10 in the last five matches. They keep a deep defensive block, inviting pressure to allow the physicality to win duels with 49% and tackles with 57% success rates, but they easily tend to lose focus and concede first, like six times from the last six games.

Angers are in disconcerting form: no wins in nine, creating a worrying consistency of problem periods both in the creation and finishing of opportunities. They usually start games rather badly, conceding the first goal and going into half time behind, which has happened in ⅘ of their matches this season. Furthermore, Angers cannot transform possession into meaningful attacking play, which is one of the biggest weaknesses in their game. At home, Angers' record does not inspire much confidence, as they have failed to capitalize on home advantage this season.

On the other hand, Reims have kept their cool and remained unbeaten in the last four matches; they will feel confident of securing points away from home.

Reims prefer a 4-3-3 structure, shaped for high pressure and quick counter-attacks. Though they did not see much of the ball-mere 22% against PSG-Reims proved to be a good transition team, creating one big chance in the last match and being clinical with whatever came their way. The tendency to play direct-26% long balls-and move quickly down the wings illustrates their reliance on quick counters, exploiting spaces left open by their opponents.

Reims have been solid defensively, with an 88% success rate in defensive tackles against PSG, hence a side not easily broken down. Well-organized in set-pieces, too, given they allowed only one shot on target despite the heavy pressure from PSG, speaking volumes about their defensive discipline.

Reims, on the other hand, are in much better form. Their unbeaten run in the last four matches shows strong momentum, and they have slowly become one of the tough teams to break down. Even though their possession stats against top teams like PSG are low, they have been able to make full use of their limited opportunities. Reims, with their defensive stability and tactical discipline, are hard to beat, even in away fixtures.

So, the head-to-head record is massively in favor of Reims, who have won seven times, whilst Angers have won just three, although the last meeting did finish 2-2 back in May 2023. Reims are unbeaten in the last three matches against Angers and usually fare well against this opposition. Further evidence supporting Reims being in a stronger position in this match is Angers' failing to keep a clean sheet in four successive H2Hs.

With the current form, tactical approaches, and key trends considered, Stade Reims definitely comes into the match more in-form and stable. With both an out-of-form attack and defense, Angers will struggle to contain Reims' solid organization and counter-attacking threat. Though this is an away match, considering the recent records and strong defensive performances, Reims are likely to edge this contest.

Angers come into this game with some sort of recurring trends this season, with under 2.5 goals in four of the last five matches. They have mostly failed to protect leads this season, conceding first in most of their matches, a sure sign of their low confidence levels. Reims are strong at the back, and many of their matches this season easily go under 10.5 corners, as five consecutive such matches would show. Much like Angers, they have conceded first but often find a way to respond and get points on the board-a testament to their character.

The characteristics of both teams are more for low-scoring encounters; there is also a tendency for both teams to score, so this should be a tight game with few goals, as GG has happened in six of Angers' last eight games.

• Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.819 Odds
• Away/Draw & Under 3.5 Goals @ 1.76 Odds
• Under 10 Corners @ 1.83 Odds