Before the round – Trends on France Ligue 1 (30/04)

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The race for survival in France is intense with four teams set for relegation this season.

Angers are already set for relegation, while Brest, Troyes, and Ajaccio are holding onto hope. Auxerre are in danger of a quick return to Ligue 2, as one point separates them from the bottom four.

Clermont Foot - Stade de Reims

Clermont Foot claimed a 4-2 win against Reims in August to set the tone for their season. The team is currently ninth and having a tremendous Ligue 1 campaign. Reims, on the other hand, are also having a strong campaign, as they sit eighth in the standings.

Reims' long unbeaten run came to an end recently. The team is on a two-match losing streak, failing to score in the last 180 minutes of football. Seven points were picked up by Reims from the last six matches.

Clermont Foot are on a four-match winning streak. They conceded just three times in those four matches. Clermont Foot coach Pascal Gastien will feel confident that the team can post another clean sheet against a Reims team that is struggling to score.

• We have seen 4 straight Ligue 1 wins in a row for Clermont Foot.
• Stade Reims have suffered 3 defeats at half time in their most recent matches in Ligue 1.
• Clermont Foot have been scoring an average of 0.94 goals in their home league matches.
• Stade Reims are undefeated in 17 of their last 20 league games.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Stade Rennais – Angers

Rennes are on a two-match winning streak against Angers in Ligue 1. The Red and Black scored two goals in each of their last two matches versus Angers.

Angers are bottom of the Ligue 1 table. The team is on a two-match losing streak. Angers won just three of their opening 32 games this season.

Rennes are sixth and only three points off fifth-place Lille. Les Dogues occupy the final Europa League qualification place. Rennes are not in good form. They lost three of their last four Ligue 1 matches, including last weekend against Montpellier.

• Stade Rennais have conceded an average of 0.75 goals in their home Ligue 1 matches.
• Angers SCO have scored an average of 0.53 goals in their away league games.
• Stade Rennais haven't been beaten in 12 of their 14 most recent clashes with Angers SCO in Ligue 1.
• In their last 20 games in Ligue 1, Angers SCO have a poor record of just 1 wins.
• Prediction: Stade Rennais

Troyes – Nice

Nice are on a two-match winning streak against Troyes in Ligue 1. The Eagles won 3-2 in the reverse fixture versus Troyes.

Nice are in terrible form heading into the match. They failed to win any of their last six Ligue 1 games. Each of Nice’s last three fixtures ended in defeat.

Troyes are also in awful form ahead of Sunday’s match. The Blues are winless in six straight fixtures. They took two points from the last six matches, scoring five goals and conceding 12 times.

• Troyes AC have won just 1 of their last 20 matches in Ligue 1.
• OGC Nice have suffered 3 straight defeats in their most recent clashes in Ligue 1.
• In their 26 most recent home matches of Ligue 1, Troyes AC have achieved just 4 wins.
• OGC Nice are unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 away matches in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Olympique Marseille – Auxerre

Marseille are second in Ligue 1 and eight points off Paris Saint-Germain in the title race. OM are aiming to hold onto second place, one of two automatic Champions League qualification positions. Auxerre are 14th in the standings and one point above the relegation zone.

Auxerre are winless in six straight matches versus Marseille. OM won 2-0 away from home earlier this season. Each of the last two fixtures between the teams finished in favour of Marseille 2-0.

Auxerre’s form is on the rise. They are unbeaten in four straight Ligue 1 fixtures. Three of those four matches were wins. However, Marseille are unbeaten in six straight Ligue 1 fixtures, with each of their last two matches ending as wins. OM have the league’s second-best defence, with 31 goals allowed.

• Olympique Marseille are unbeaten in their last 7 Ligue 1 games.
• In their last 14 away games in Ligue 1, AJ Auxerre have recorded only 2 wins.
• Olympique Marseille haven't lost in 18 of their last 20 games in Ligue 1.
• AJ Auxerre are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 Ligue 1 games.
• Prediction:Olympique Marseille