Auxerre, looking to continue their strong run of form in the league, are set to welcome relegation-threatened Angers to the Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps on Sunday for matchday 12 of the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign.
The hosts are ninth in the table with 16 points from their first 11 matches, while the visitors are 15th in the standings with just 10 points from 11 games.
Match preview
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Auxerre have fluctuated between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 in recent years, earning promotion from the second division in both 2021-22 and 2023-24 but facing relegation from Ligue 1 in 2022-23.
Having returned to the top flight as Ligue 2 champions last campaign, lifting the title with 74 points from 38 games, Auxerre have made a remarkable start to life back in Ligue 1.
AJA find themselves residing in ninth place after 11 outings with 16 points, having secured five wins, one draw and five defeats, leaving them just a point behind the European places and six above the drop zone.
They initially had a difficult start to the term, winning 2-1 against Nice on the opening day before losing the next four matches, but they have been significantly improved in recent outings.
Christophe Pelissier's side have suffered just one defeat in their last six fixtures, a 3-1 loss to Saint-Etienne, winning four and drawing one in that time, while they remain without defeat in their last four heading into this one.
Auxerre will aim to extend their unbeaten run when they face Angers on Sunday, a team they have only defeated once in the last 10 meetings across all competitions.
The visitors also gained promotion from Ligue 2 alongside Auxerre last season, securing automatic promotion by finishing second with 68 points from 38 matches.
However, they have not enjoyed the same level of success as their hosts back in the top flight so far this term, coming into this one sitting 15th in the table with 10 points, only above the drop zone on goal difference.
They failed to win any of their opening eight fixtures, losing four and drawing four, before eventually beating Saint-Etienne (4-2) and Monaco (1-0), but they fell back to defeat last time out with a 4-2 loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Alexandre Dujeux will be hoping his men can bounce back with a victory in this one, aiming to put distance between themselves and the drop zone heading into the busy winter schedule.
Team News
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The hosts are without Ange Loic N'Gatta, Paul Joly and Lasso Coulibaly for this match due to ongoing injury issues, though the first two are expected to return next month.
Elsewhere, having enjoyed a superb run of form in recent outings, including a 3-1 win against Marseille last time out, Pelissier could name the same side for this one.
As for Angers, they will be unable to call upon the services of Cedric Hountondji, Justin-Noel Kalumba, Sidiki Cherif and Zinedine Ferhat due to injury concerns.
Despite losing 4-2 to PSG last time out, Dujeux may be encouraged by aspects of their performance, meaning the manager could field a similar side against Auxerre.
Auxerre possible starting lineup:
Leon; Osho, Raveloson, Akpa; Hoever, Owusu, Danois, Mensah; Perrin, Traore; Sinayoko
Angers possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Arcus, Biumla, Lefort, Hanin; Aholou, Belkebla; Allevinah, Abdelli, El Melali; Niane
We say: Auxerre 2-1 Angers
Auxerre are enjoying a superb run of form heading into this one, and while the visitors have been improved in recent weeks, with AJA boasting the home advantage, we believe they will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
