Angers vs Lens Prediction & Betting Tips (18 August)

Relegated to Ligue 2 at the end of a catastrophic 2022-2023 season, Angers did not have to wait long to return to the elite. The Sco was indeed able to show itself very solid last year to obtain 2nd place in the 2nd division behind Auxerre but ahead of AS Saint-Etienne to make its return to the highest level of French football where the objective will obviously be to be able to keep your place there. During their summer preparation, Alexandre Dujeux's men started with a rather logical victory against the Voltigeurs de Chateaubriand 2-3. However, it was more complicated against Le Mans 2-0 and Rennes 1-2. Against Lorient in a friendly, the SCO lost 1-2 to finish. A final upcoming matches was to take place against Bordeaux, it was canceled.

 Lens, for its part, was able to compete in the Champions League last season where it took 3rd place in its group behind Arsenal and PSV but ahead of Sevilla FC before falling in the Europa League play-offs against Fribourg. On the national scene, Racing obviously could not do as well as during the previous season when it trailed PSG by one point and it had to settle for 7th place which will allow it to play a round Conference League preliminary. Always supported by their incredible audience, the Bollaert residents, who lost their coach Franck Haise this summer, replaced by Will Still, will want to keep their place at the top of the table. During their preparation, the Sang et Or started strong with a large victory obtained against Red Star 6-0 and then with a narrower success against Louvain 0-1 before drawing against Utrecht 6-6. Behind, the cursor increased with clashes against Bayer Leverkusen, FC Versailles and Leicester City, with respectively 1 draw and 2 victories 2-2, 1-3 and 3-0.

Angers has not yet experienced any major upheavals in the transfer market. It is still necessary to note the departure of right side Valery (4 assists in L2 last year, Sheffield Wednesday) and the arrivals of midfielder Aholou (Strasbourg), side Arcus (Vitesse) and winger Allevinah (Clermont ). The latter is injured, like Fehrat, Lopy and Bumla. Excellent in Ligue 2 last year, center forward Diony (15 goals) will hope to maintain the same effectiveness at the higher level. Same thing for the Algerians El Melali (8 goals, 5 assists) and Abdelli (9 goals, 2 assists). Also pay attention to winter recruit Lepaul who was rather convincing in his first half-season spent at Sco (3 goals, 3 assists). Lens has also been rather cautious for the moment during this transfer window. Loaned last year, midfielder Spierings (Toulouse) and young striker Labeau-Lascary (Laval) are back while left back Chavez has been permanently recruited. Also note the arrival of goalkeeper Koffi (Charleroi) who digitally replaces Jean-Louis Leca who ended his career last May, and that of defender passed by Nice Malang Sarr (Chelsea). On the other hand, the rather disappointing Guilavogui was loaned to Sankt Pauli.

Recruited at a high price last summer, Elye Wahi (9 goals, 3 assists) is expected at a better level, having been the subject of criticism from supporters. We still find in this squad the indestructible Sotoca (7 goals, 6 assists), the precious Saïd (7 goals) and the very active Pereira Da Costa (4 goals, 2 assists). Close to signing for Monaco, El-Aynaoui ultimately stays in Lens. Monaco backtracked following an inconclusive medical examination. The Moroccan will be absent for a few months (operation). Close to an agreement with OM, E.Wahi should no longer wear the RC Lens jersey in the coming hours. Mbala N'Zola (rookie, Fiorentina) is expected to apply for a place in attack quickly.