Angers vs Reims Prediction & Betting Tips - Ligue 1

Prediction published on 28/01/2020, 19:45  by James | Modified on 28/01/2020 at 20:45 in Ligue 1 Prediction

After losing a 5-4 roller-coaster of a Coupe de France match to Rennes in midweek, Angers are back in Ligue 1 action this Saturday for what should be a less frenetic encounter. The ninth-placed team play host to Reims, who are two places and one point behind in eleventh, at the Stade Raymond Kopa. While Angers have been reasonably free-scoring in recent weeks (hitting 14 goals in their last six matches in all competitions), Reims have struggled in front of goal. This misfiring problem goes beyond a short span of weeks and has actually plagued them across the entire campaign. Only two teams have a worse record in front of goal than Reims (17 goals in 21 games) and they're both fighting off the immediate threat of relegation. The saving grace for Reims is their defensive record, conceding only 14 goals thus far. This has created a goals-per-game average of 1.5 for matches involving Reims. It's a goal below the league average. Now you see what the earlier freneticism comment referred to. 

Although 90% of Reims matches have featured less than 2.5 goals, Angers are in such a rich vein of form in front of goal that they will be confident of recording a statistical anomaly. It should be pointed out that the majority of their recent strike bonanzas have occurred in cup competitions. In fact, they have only won one of their last six Ligue 1 matches. Reims have picked up two more points than their opponents in that time. If Angers can transfer their cup form to the league, it's going to be an entertaining game. What is likelier, however, is that we get another Reims score-economics special. Back against both teams scoring.