Before the round – Trends on France Ligue 1 (27/05)

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Ligue 1 has just two matchdays left before the end of the season. The race for Ligue 1 survival could go down to the final day of the campaign, as Nantes chase Auxerre and Strasbourg.

The battle for the top five is close, with Rennes and Lyon trailing Lille for a place in Europe.

Angers – Troyes

Angers were relegated weeks ago and things haven’t got much better. The Black and White have a mere 15 points from 36 matches this season. Troyes are 18th in the competition and will join Angers in Ligue 2 next season.

Troyes defeated Angers earlier this season 3-1. Angers had a player sent off in the match. Two of the last three head-to-head meetings between Angers and Troyes saw a player sent off.

Angers have not improved since being relegated. The Black and White took just one point from their last six games, scoring eight goals. Troyes did little better over the last six matches, picking up two points and scoring five times.

• In 6 of the most recent matches in Ligue 1 of Angers SCO, both teams scored.
• Troyes AC's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 1 of their last 28 matches (Ligue 1).
• Angers SCO have scored 1 or more goals in their last 8 Ligue 1 games in a row.
• In Troyes AC's last 3 away games in Ligue 1 there have been over 2.5 goals scored.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals

Clermont Foot – Lorient

Clermont Foot and Lorient’s hopes of qualifying for Europe are no more. Neither team can qualify for the top five with two matches remaining. Lorient picked up a 2-1 win in the reverse fixture, as Clermont had a player sent off. The last six matches between these teams saw four red cards.

Lorient are 10th in the table and unbeaten in three of their last four games. However, the team is winless in back-to-back matches.

Clermont are eighth in the table. They went unbeaten in five of their last six matches. Clermont took 13 points from the last six fixtures compared to Lorient’s seven points.

• Clermont Foot have won their last 4 home league games.
• FC Lorient's performance has been disappointing of late, as they have won just 1 of their 9 most recent away Ligue 1 clashes.
• Clermont Foot are undefeated in 7 of their last 8 league games.
• FC Lorient have managed to win just 2 of their last 6 games in Ligue 1.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Montpellier – Nice

Montpellier were smashed by Nice in the reverse fixture 6-1. The Eagles romped to the win but may struggle to replicate it. Montpellier have a head-to-head record of 3W-1D-2L against Nice in the last six matches.

Nice picked up seven points from the last six games in the league. The Eagles have declined this season after a top-five finish last season and qualification to the Coupe de France final. Nice lost two of their last three away games.

Montpellier took 10 points from their last six fixtures. They are unbeaten in back-to-back matches in the league. Montpellier went unbeaten in five of their last six matches at home.

• Montpellier HSC are undefeated in 6 of their last 7 home Ligue 1 games.
• OGC Nice have won just 1 of their last 15 away meetings with Montpellier HSC in Ligue 1.
• Montpellier HSC haven't lost at half time in their 13 most recent home encounters with OGC Nice in Ligue 1.
• OGC Nice's performance has been disappointing of late, as they have won just 2 of their 11 most recent Ligue 1 clashes.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score

Toulouse – Auxerre

Toulouse picked up a 5-0 win against Auxerre earlier this season. Auxerre are just one point ahead of 17th-place Nantes in the race for survival.

Toulouse won the Coupe de France to qualify for Europe next season. The team took their foot off the accelerator after winning the trophy. Toulouse are winless in four straight matches. The Violets failed to win each of their last six home matches.

Auxerre are on a two-match losing streak in Ligue 1. They lost each of their last two road matches in Ligue 1. Auxerre conceded the fourth-most goals in Ligue 1 after 36 matches with 59.

• Toulouse FC haven't scored a goal in all of their last 4 league matches.
• AJ Auxerre have won just 2 of their last 16 away matches in Ligue 1.
• In their last 7 home games in Ligue 1, Toulouse FC have recorded only 1 wins.
• AJ Auxerre have been scoring an average of 0.92 goals in their league matches.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals