Angers vs. Bordeaux 8/30/20 Ligue 1 Soccer Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Angers is welcoming Bordeaux to Stade Raymond Kopa in round 2 in French Ligue 1.

Angers is on a 3-game winning streak, including their season opener against Dijon on the road. In that match, Angers has had 47% of ball possession, 4 shots on goal, 9 corner kicks, 4 big chances created, and solid 87% of the correct passes. With an early goal in the 22nd minute, Angers has won this match 0-1. Ismael Traore is the only goalscorer for Angers as of right now. Doumbia has left the game early because of an injury, and he is still questionable for this match. Angers were far away from the relegation zone last season, and they will look to do the same this season as well, and they have started well I might add. Offensively, Angers is not a great team, but they are compensating that with solid defense, which is the main reason why Angers ended last season in 10th place. Of the 7 preseason games, Angers has won 3, tied 2, while losing 2 games. The schedule is on the easier side for Angers in the next few games, but most of the teams are not in their best or worse forms just yet, including Angers. I think Angers will stay outside the relegation zone once again, but I’m not sure if they can repeat the success from last season.

Bordeaux is not playing well, especially in the attacking end. Bordeaux used to be one of the best teams in France in the nineties and early 00’s, but they have been in a free fall for a while now. In the shorthanded last season, Bordeaux ended the season in 12th place with only 37 points, but 40 scored goals and 34 conceded goals. In their season opener against Nantes, Bordeaux has had 43% of ball possession, 1 shot on goal, 2 corner kicks, and 83% of the correct passes. Bordeaux conceded a red card in the 20th minute of the game, but they were defending well since that moment, and this match ended in a 0-0 draw. Pablo is the only injured player in Bordeaux at the moment, while Zerkane is suspended because of the red card from the first game of the season. With only 1 win in their last 5 games, Bordeaux is not playing in good form, and they are struggling with scoring goals, but defensively, Bordeaux has been playing well, and that is what is keeping Bordeaux alive at the moment. There are some good players in Bordeaux, and they will stay outside the relegation zone, but I don’t think we will see Bordeaux anywhere close to the Europa League or the Champions League.

The trends are mixed here, and Angers has had some success against Bordeaux at home. I will pick something on goals here because I think it’s time for Bordeaux to get their first goal of the season, and Angers can certainly score at least one goal at home.