Ligue 1: PSG and Angers SCO aim to maintain winning starts to the campaign

The Ligue 1 season started with a bang last weekend, and there was plenty to marvel at. In this week’s preview, we will focus our attention on Matchday 2, and we will pick out the main talking points ahead of Paris Saint-Germain v RC Strasbourg, and Angers SCO v Lyon. We will also check in on the latest match odds for these fixtures.

Paris Saint-Germain recover from slow start to earn hard-fought win against Troyes

Far from the blistering start, many expected, PSG were made to work hard to collect all three points against Troyes. Mauricio Pochettino’s were stunned in the ninth minute when Oualid El Hajjam planted a header from a corner beyond the reach of Keylor Navas. However, this roused PSG into life, and they hit back through new signing Achraf Hakimi before Mauro Icardi turned the tables.

PSG’s blushes were spared deep in stoppage time when Navas thwarted three attempts from Troyes striker Renaud Ripart. Although PSG had the majority of the possession (57%), they were forced to cling on at the end, and they were lucky to escape with a win. Kylian Mbappe also fashioned some chances to put more daylight between the two sides, but he fluffed his lines.

PSG inching closer to huge Lionel Messi deal

There has been frenzied speculation that Lionel Messi could be heading to PSG. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner bid an emotional farewell to Barcelona last week, and it is thought he could join the Parc des Princes on a free transfer. Although his salary will be colossal, he could wrap up his career playing alongside Neymar and Mbappe.

PSG: The stats that defined their win over Troyes

While PSG was slow out of the traps against Troyes, there were some positives to take. Hakimi became the first PSG player to score on his Ligue 1 debut since Metehan Guclu in 2019, and they are now unbeaten in their past nine away matches. Meanwhile, Mbappe laid on his seventh assist for Icardi against Troyes — five more than other players for the PSG No.9.

Strasbourg feels the heat against Angers SCO

Last term, Strasbourg for form, and they finished 15th in the Ligue 1 table. It was hoped they would improve, but they were dismantled by Angers last weekend, as Ismael Traore, and Stephane Bahoken were on target. PSG will represent a tough challenge, and Straasbourg will need little reminding that they have won two of their past 21 meetings with the Paris giants.

Gerald Baticle begins new Angers SCO era with a win

After taking over the reins from Stephane Moulin in the summer, Gerald Baticle enjoyed the perfect start in charge of Angers. A 2-0 victory away to Strasbourg sent Angers to the top of the Ligue 1 table, and they looked in fine fettle. After a disappointing campaign last term where they finished 13th, Angers will feel like they have a point to prove.

Batcile was happy with the way his side acquitted themselves against Strasbourg. Although they have had to bed in new signings, Baticle praised the balance of his side, and their team spirit. He said: “I saw mental qualities, of solidarity, and it is a great virtue that must be nurtured.”

But on Sunday, Lyon will be pose problems for Angers. They will capitalize on any loose balls in and around the box. Although it has been a summer of outgoings for Lyon, including the departure of Memphis Depay, Lyon will look to mount a title challenge this term. After a top-four finish last term, Lyon’s credentials are unquestioned, and they have plenty of firepower.

Angers v Lyon: A tale of past encounters

Lyon, who began their campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Stade Brest — will search for their first win against Angers. And Petr Bosz, who was only installed as Lyon’s new boss in May, will relish a trip to Angers. There have been 11 encounters between the two sides, and Lyon has a stronghold on this fixture.

Lyon has run out of winners on eight occasions, and they have only tasted defeat once. Last term, Lyon won both fixtures and scored four answered goals. While they only scraped to a 1-0 victory on the road against Angers last campaign, they cruised to a 3-0 win at home with a Depay double and Lucas Paqueta settling the points in Lyon’s favour.

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