Before the Round – Trends on France Ligue 1 (07/05)

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The Ligue 1 title race is still alive with five matches left to play this season. PSG are just five points ahead of Marseille.

Meanwhile, the battle for European qualification will likely go down to the final day of the campaign.

Angers - AS Monaco

Monaco have slipped in the race for third place, which is the final Champions League place in Ligue 1. Les Monegasque are eight points behind Lens thanks to a two-match losing streak. Monaco have lost just two road matches this season, so there is hope they can turn around their form at Angers.

Angers are last in the Ligue 1 standings and heading for relegation. The Black and White are on a three-match losing streak ahead of Monaco’s arrival. Angers are Ligue 1’s worst home team, with just nine points from 17 matches.

Monaco are on a six-match winning streak against Angers in all competitions. Les Monegasque won each of their last two games versus Angers 2-0.

• Angers SCO have lost all of their last 3 matches in Ligue 1.
• AS Monaco have not been beaten in 18 of their 20 most recent away matches in Ligue 1.
• Angers SCO have won just 1 of their last 25 league games.
• AS Monaco haven't lost any of their last 8 matches against Angers SCO in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: AS Monaco

Ajaccio – Toulouse

Toulouse won their last two fixtures against Ajaccio in all competitions by identical scores of 2-0. Les Violets are coming off winning the Coupe de France a week ago. With the team not in danger of relegation, motivation against Ajaccio could be low.

Ajaccio are in poor form, with just one point from their last six matches in Ligue 1. The team scored two goals in the last six matches and conceded 11 times.

Toulouse took six points from the last 18 points available. Les Violets conceded nine goals and scored five times. Toulouse are on a two-match win streak playing away from home.

• No goals have been scored in the last 4 home Ligue 1 matches of AC Ajaccio.
• Toulouse FC have kept a clean sheet against AC Ajaccio in all of their last 3 league matches.
• AC Ajaccio have managed just 1 wins in their last 12 league games.
• Toulouse FC are undefeated against AC Ajaccio in 6 consecutive matches in the league.
• Prediction: Toulouse

Auxerre - Clermont Foot

Clermont Foot posted a 2-1 win over Auxerre earlier this season at home. The Lancers are aiming to do the double over Auxerre and stay in the race for European qualification.

Auxerre are 14th and one point above the relegation zone. The team is winless in back-to-back matches in Ligue 1. The good news for Auxerre is their home form. They are unbeaten in six straight matches at home.

Clermont Foot are on a five-match winning streak. Ten points separate them from the final European qualification place with 15 points left to play for. The Lancers are on a two-match winning streak on the road. They have a record of 7W-4D-5L away from home.

• AJ Auxerre haven't lost any of their last 6 home matches in Ligue 1.
• Clermont Foot have won 5 consecutive games in Ligue 1.
• There are no losses for AJ Auxerre in 10 of their most recent 12 games (Ligue 1).
• There have been only 2 losses for Clermont Foot in their most recent away matches in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Clermont Foot

Olympique Lyonnais – Montpellier

Lyon and Montpellier split their last six head-to-head matches with three wins apiece. Lyon posted a 2-1 win at Montpellier earlier this season, as both teams had a man sent off. The last six matches between Lyon and Montpellier produced five red cards.

Montpellier won their last two Ligue 1 matches and are 12th in the league. They took 10 points from the last 18 points available. Montpellier went unbeaten in four of their last five away matches.

Lyon are fighting for European qualification. Les Gones are seventh in the table and six points off sixth-place Lille. Lyon won four of their last five matches in Ligue 1, outscoring opponents 8-5.

• In their 9 most recent matches of Ligue 1, Lyon have been undefeated 8 times.
• Montpellier HSC are having a period of 11 straight Ligue 1 clashes in all of which they have scored 1 or more goals.
• In Lyon's 4 most recent Ligue 1 matches, there have been over 2.5 goals scored.
• In their 11 most recent matches of Ligue 1, Montpellier HSC have been undefeated 9 times.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals