Ligue 1: Paris Saint-Germain looking to maintain perfect start with Angers hot on their heels
Ligue 1 brought plenty of goals last weekend, but there was certainly controversy too during Nice v Marseille. The rivalry between the two sides is toxic, but chaos descended when Marseille was 1-0 up, and the fans invaded the pitch. The match was abandoned, and the scenes were unsavoury. We will preview two-weekend clashes — Reims v PSG, and Angers v Rennes.
Paris Saint-Germain scoring goals for fun as they top the table
PSG in full throttle is a scary sight, and they will take some stopping this term. For the second Ligue 1 game in a row, the French giants scored four, and this time Brest were the victims. Mauricio Pochettino’s charges were sublime in attack, and the game also saw Kylian Mbappe get off the mark for the campaign.
There are always big expectations placed upon PSG, and everything is slotting into place nicely. From their three games to date, PSG has already notched up 10 goals, and a trip to face mid-table Reims shouldn’t cause too many problems. PSG fans will be desperate to know whether Lionel Messi will make his debut.
Paris Saint-Germain dealt Mauro Icardi blow
PSG was dealt an untimely blow after losing Mauro Icardi to injury. The Argentina international sustained a Grade 2 tear of the shoulder joint, and a club statement confirmed it may take up to a month for Icardi to return to training. Pochettino might have to reshuffle the pack against Reims.
Reims v Paris Saint-Germain: Revisiting past encounters
There are never usually many three-point bankers when it comes to top-flight football matches. But PSG may view a trip to Reims on Sunday evening as one. Last season, PSG beat Reims home and away, scoring six unanswered goals. Pochettino will be hoping for more of the same this weekend.
Angers already proving to be Ligue 1’s surprise package
We may only be a few games into the start of the new season, but Angers have flourished, and they are the Ligue 1’s surprise package. Three games have yielded seven points, and they are on PSG’s coattails in second spot. Earlier this month, Angers turned in an impressive display as they brushed aside Lyon 3-0, and they are already proving to be no pushovers.
Angers happy to share the goals around the team
While there’s usually one predator in a team, it seems that Angers would prefer to share the goals around. So far, they have netted six times in Ligue 1 this term, but there hasn’t been an overreliance on one goalscorer. Indeed, there have been six different scorers from their first three matches.
Romain Thomas was on hand to turn home an equalizer against Bordeaux last weekend, whereas the likes of PSG are usually calling on Mbappe to dig them out of their hole or produce some magic when they need it most. Angers finished 13th last term, but the early signs are already positive.
- Angers to beat Rennes @37/20 with Casumo
- Stephane Bahoken to score anytime for Angers @5/2 with Casumo
Rennes, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their recent 1-0 win over Nantes. In their first two games of the season, Rennes were pickpocketed, as they relinquished leads. In particular, the draw against Stade Brest would have hurt after they conceded a goal in stoppage time.
Angers v Rennes: How past encounters have unfolded
The table shows that these are two of the league’s in-form sides, and head-to-head records can often be a good indicator of how things might unfold. Sunday afternoon’s clash will be the 12th time these two teams will be meeting with Ligue 1. And things lie heavily in Rennes’ favour.
Rennes have won on seven occasions, with Angers coming out on top just once. Indeed, last term, Rennes ran out 3-0 winners away to Angers, and the French Cup clash in 2020 was a humdinger as Rennes won 5-4. Here’s hoping the latest instalment of this fixture provides plenty of goals!
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