Before the Round – Trends on France Ligue 1 (12/02)

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The race for Champions League qualification is tight in Ligue 1. Second-place Marseille is separated by a mere six points from fifth-place Rennes after 22 games. Meanwhile, Troyes will try to distance themselves from the bottom four this weekend.

Toulouse - Stade Rennais

Fifth-place Rennes will visit 12th-place Toulouse on Sunday, as they seek to find some form. The Black and Red won just two of their last five games while losing three times. Toulouse are winless in six straight games versus Rennes, which includes a 2-1 loss earlier this season.

Toulouse are in brilliant for ahead of Rennes’ arrival. Les Violets took 13 points from the last six games in the league. They outscored their last six opponents 15-5. Toulouse are unbeaten in three straight home games.

Rennes’ up-and-down form across the last six games saw them take nine points from the last 18 points on offer. The Black and Red struggled to keep goals out. They conceded eight times and scored nine times. Three straight Rennes away games ended in defeat.

• Toulouse FC are unbeaten in 7 of their last 8 home matches in Ligue 1.
• Both teams scored in all of Stade Rennais's last 17 away games in Ligue 1.
• In their last 8 games in Ligue 1, Toulouse FC have scored at least once.
• Stade Rennais have managed just 2 wins in their last 13 away league games.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score @1.62

Angers - AJ Auxerre

Angers are bottom of Ligue 1 and are headed back to Ligue 2. They will need a miracle to rescue their season, but, on Sunday, Angers will play fellow relegation battler Auxerre. The teams played out a 2-2 draw earlier this season at Auxerre.

Angers took one point from the last six games. They were –9 in goal difference, with three scored and 12 conceded.

Not to be outdone, Auxerre collected one point from their last six matches. Auxerre scored two goals and conceded 12 times in the six matches.

• Angers SCO have a poor record of 7 consecutive home losses in Ligue 1.
• AJ Auxerre have lost their last 4 away Ligue 1 games.
• Angers SCO have won just 2 of their last 22 matches in Ligue 1.
• AJ Auxerre's performance has been disappointing of late, as they have won just 3 of their 25 most recent Ligue 1 clashes.
• Prediction: Angers SCO @2.20

Stade de Reims – Troyes

Reims are unbeaten in 12 straight Ligue 1 games. They are one of the most fun teams to watch, as they continue to get results. In October, Reims went to Troyes and left with a 2-2 draw. The last three games between these teams in Ligue 1 saw a red card handed out.

Reims took 10 points from their last six games in the French top flight. The defence was excellent during that time conceding four goals. Reims scored seven times in their last six matches. The team won four of their last five home games.

Troyes are on a two-game losing streak. They took a mere four points from their last six games in the division. Five of Troyes’ last six road games ended in defeat.

• A period of 14 straight games without a defeat marks the Ligue 1 campaign of Stade Reims.
• Both teams scored in all of Troyes AC's last 7 away games in Ligue 1.
• In their last 21 games in Ligue 1, Stade Reims have recorded 18 undefeated encounters.
• Troyes AC's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 4 of their last 25 matches (Ligue 1).
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score @1.80

FC Nantes – Lorient

FC Nantes will host Lorient on Sunday as they seek to end a two-game losing streak against the visitors. The last six games between these teams were split down the middle with three wins apiece. The last four games between Nantes and Lorient were won by the home team.

Lorient took eight points from the last six games. They conceded 11 times and scored nine matches across their last six fixtures.

Nantes took 11 points from the last 18 points available in Ligue 1. The Canaries are in form after a slow start to the campaign. The defence was excellent in the last six games with just two goals allowed.

• FC Nantes are unbeaten at half time in all of their last 12 matches in Ligue 1.
• In all of FC Lorient's last 7 away Ligue 1 matches both teams scored.
• FC Nantes are unbeaten in 18 of their last 21 home matches in Ligue 1.
• In their last 11 away games in Ligue 1, FC Lorient have scored at least once.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals @2.00