Just two days after facing FC Nantes, Paris will meet another club from the Pays de la Loire this Saturday. Despite a limited squad, Angers SCO are enjoying a surprisingly solid season, sitting 13th in the table with survival already looking secured. However, while they held Lyon (0-0) and Le Havre (1-1) in their last two home matches, the Angevins have struggled recently, going five games without a win.
On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain got back on track against Nantes in midweek with a clear and convincing victory at the Parc des Princes (3-0). The response was immediate after the narrow defeat to Lyon a few days earlier (1-2), allowing the Rouge et Bleu to move four points clear of Lens at the top of the Ligue 1 table. It’s a lead the club from the capital will be keen to consolidate on Saturday evening at the Raymond-Kopa.
1 – Angers SCO have only won one of their last nine matches in Ligue 1 (2 draws, 6 defeats). That win came at Nantes in March (0-1).
4 – Paris Saint-Germain come into this match on the back of 4 consecutive away clean sheets across all competitions. This is the first time they have achieved this feat since October 2020.
17 – Paris have won each of their last 17 matches against Angers in Ligue 1, the longest winning streak against the same team in the history of the top flight.
In goal for Angers, Alexandre Dujeux will rely on the ever-important Hervé Koffi. After an impressive season, the Burkina Faso international has been one of the key figures behind Angers’ survival in the top flight. In front of him, Ousmane Camara has established himself as the leader of the Noir et Blanc defence, but the Mali international is expected to miss the match due to a tendon issue. Emmanuel Biumla is therefore the favourite to replace him and partner Jordan Lefort. Finally, the experienced Abdoulaye Bamba could complete a three-man central defence and return to the starting line-up to cover for the likely absence of the young Marius Louër (19).
At right wing-back, Haiti international Carlens Arcus is not certain to start, so Lilian Raolisoa (2 goals and 4 assists in Ligue 1 this season) is expected to take his place. On the opposite flank, Jacques Ekomié has impressed the Angers coaching staff and should start again, while Florent Hanin is set to be on the bench. In midfield as well, Angers will have to cope with absences. Alongside the young Marius Courcoul (19), it is especially Yassin Belkhdim (2 goals, 2 assists) who will be missing from the SCO midfield.
However, the Maine-et-Loire side still has plenty of depth in midfield and will rely above all on their captain Haris Belkebla. A key figure in Angers’ starting XI, the Algeria international will of course be supported by Branco van den Boomen. On loan from Ajax since last winter, the former Toulouse player has quickly become an important piece of the team. It remains to be seen whether the experienced Pierrick Capelle (39 years old, 257 Ligue 1 matches) or former Saint-Étienne midfielder Louis Mouton will complete the midfield for the Noir et Blanc.
Up front, the powerful Prosper Peter (5 goals) continues his rise. At just 18 years old, the Franco-Nigerian already looks ready to take over from Sidiki Chérif, who left during the last winter transfer window. He is expected to start alongside the lively Amine Sbaï (2 goals, 1 assist), who has also carved out a place in the Angers squad. If this attacking duo is confirmed at kick-off, then Goduine Koyalipou and Lanroy Machine could come on during the match, bringing renewed energy and freshness to the SCO’s frontline.
