Lorient vs Annecy Prediction & Betting Tips (19 October)

After spending 4 seasons in the elite, FC Lorient completely missed its point last year and was sanctioned by relegation to the 2nd level of national football. Logically, the Breton club, which has a fairly comfortable budget for this championship, does not wish to linger there and is rather showing its advantage at the start of the year since it occupies 2nd place in the ranking with 2 units behind the leader, Paris FC, who will play Monday evening. After being surprised on the Pau field 1-0 at the end of September, the Merlus were able to restart the machine to win in front of Ajaccio 3-0 and they confirmed the following week by dominating Caen 1-2. Opposite, FC Annecy completely missed its start to the season last year before getting back on track after the winter break.

Eager to no longer have so many scares this year, the Haut-Savoie club has decided to take the lead this year by starting this championship very strongly. Proof of this is that Laurent Guyot's players have already scored 15 points in 8 days, only one less than their opponent of the day. Undefeated since the 2nd day, the Reds won 2 of their last 3 matches played against Troyes 1-0, Bastia 2-2 and Red Star 1-0 to move to 5th place in the standings.

In conflict with his club, full-back Benjamin Mendy is still looking for a way out and he will obviously not be present in Olivier Pantaloni's group. He also has to deal with some defections like those of defender Makengo, the full-back Igor Silva, of the most offensive Pagis, Diarra and Le Bris, and at least important Fadiga. Coming out injured against Caen, midfielder Ponceau is not guaranteed to be present either. On the other hand, central defender Talbi will be back after being suspended for the last two days. Against Malherbe, it was the Ivorian Bamba (2 goals) and the young Kroupi (4 goals) who allowed the Bretons to win.

Not really in the plans of their coach, the left side Mahop and little brother Lemina will probably not make the trip to Moustoir this weekend. The right side Lajugie and the defender central Valme are victims of physical problems and they should forfeit this poster. A priori, we should find playmaker Demoncy in the group (2 goals, 2 assists decisive) as well as the formidable Larose (2 goals). Highly visible last year, center forward Djoco, however, has not managed to score for the moment.