As the Ligue 1 season continues, football fans are in for a treat as Angers SCO and Olympique de Marseille face off today, February 9, 2025, at 20:45 CET (22:45 EAT). This match can be expected to be an intense competition between the two as they go into battle at Stade Raymond Kopa.
Match Preview
Mid-table Angers SCO has been tough to break down lately. Their recent 3-1 win over Strasbourg in the Coupe de France on February 5, 2025, underlined their attacking strengths, while a 1-1 draw with Le Havre on February 2 showed there was room for improvement. In the last five matches across all competitions, Angers has recorded three wins, one draw, and one loss-a mix of determination and inconsistency.
Marseille is attempting to break into the league's top rank. Their most recent win came on February 2, 2025, against Lyon by 3-2, while the loss, 2-0 to OGC Nice on January 26, also suggests that the team still has its vulnerabilities. In their last five outings, Marseille had two wins, one draw, and two losses, showing more consistency is yet to be realized.
Head-to-Head Stats
History says the two sides contest a closely watched match, although Marseille has bragging rights most times, claiming seven victories while Angers were triumphant thrice. Six of these last 18 matchups ended as a draw, each with about an average of 2.78 goals. More high-scoring action can probably be seen, based on.
Indeed, in their last encounter on October 4, 2024, the match ended in a stalemate with 1-1 as the final score, which goes to show how evenly this fixture is matched. (ratingbet.com)
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Angers SCO
Head coach Alexandre Dujeux has some selection headaches, with Cédric Hountondji, Bamba Dieng, and Sidiki Cherif all unavailable due to injury. Angers will put out a decent lineup nevertheless:
GK- Yahia Fofana
D- Lilian Raolisoa, Emmanuel Biumla, Jordan Lefort, Florent Hanin
M- Jean-Eudes Aholou, Haris Belkebla, Jim Allevinah, Himad Abdelli, Farid El Melali
F- Esteban Lepaul
Olympique de Marseille
For Marseille, things might look different. The essential players in action could be -
Keeper: Geronimo Rulli
Defenders : Pol Lirola, Leonardo Balerdi, Samuel Gigot, Sead Kolašinac
Midfielders: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, Valentin Rongier, Amine Harit
Attackers: Cengiz Ünder, Vitinha, Dimitri Payet
Star Players in Action
Angers SCO
- Yahia Fofana (GK): Fofana's shot-stopping will have to be nothing short of immaculate to check the potent offense of Marseille.
- Jean-Eudes Aholou (M): Aholou's insight and passing, coupled with maintaining a decent enough tempo, gives crucial link play between defense and attack.
- Esteban Lepaul (FW): Lepaul's ability to change directions in quick fashion and instinct to find the ball in the opponent's net make him deadly any time on the field.
Olympique de Marseille - Geronimo Rulli (Goalkeeper): Rulli's experience and command of the penalty area provide stability to Marseille's defense.
- Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Midfielder): Højbjerg's defensive acumen and ability to break up play are vital in controlling the midfield battle.
- Dimitri Payet (Forward): Payet's creativity and set-piece expertise can unlock defenses, making him a pivotal figure in Marseille's attacking endeavors.
Tactical Analysis
Angers SCO
Angers usually adopts a balanced approach with a proper defensive organization but looks to capitalize on their opportunities through counter-attacks. Midfield players like Aholou and Belkebla provide crucial transitions from defence to offence and look for any space the opponents give up. Wide men like Allevinah and El Melali stretch the opponents while trying to send crosses in for Lepaul.
Olympique de Marseille
Marseille prefers to be in possession while counting on build-up from behind to dictate the rhythm of the game. Højbjerg and Rongier ensure dominance in midfield, while Ünder, Vitinha, and Payet are all capable of different things upfront as they boast a combination of speed, imagination, and goal-scoring. Full-backs Lirola and Kolašinac often go upfield, stretching the opponents for width to make overloads out wide.
Weather Conditions
The Angers forecast is for cool weather, overcast skies, rain, and drizzle in the afternoon. The high will be 44°F (7°C), and the low 38°F (3°C). Yellow Warning for Snow/Ice until Monday, 12:00 AM CET. This might affect the state of the pitch and therefore the style of play for either team.
Match Prediction
Given the current form and historic balance between both teams, the match is going to be competitive. Marseille stands in a privileged position in league standing and in attacking quality to make a difference. At the same time, Angers conveys good strength while playing in their own turf. Considering the intensity of Marseille in offense, and the defensive solidity of Angers, the home team should be able to narrow it to 2-1.
Predicted Score: Angers 1-2 Marseille
Where to Watch & Live Score Updates
Fans can catch the action through:
- Live Score Updates: Flashscore
- TV Broadcasts: Amazon Prime Video (France), beIN Sports
- Streaming Options: FuboTV, DAZN [Check for Availability in Your Area]
A mouth-watering Ligue 1 clash you shouldn't miss! Who are you rooting for? Let us know your predictions in the comment section!