Angers to continue riding on PSG's coattails
Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1 sees winless Brest take on division shock troops Angers SCO at the Stade Francis-Le Blé, with the pressure firmly on the shoulders of Armenian head coach Michel Der Zakarian to ensure that Les Pirates can convert their healthy goals return into points. The visitors are the only side other than PSG at the time of writing to have won three or more from the first four matches, and are defying the pundits that had them pegged as possible relegation candidates. Read our preview here:
Through fear or Faivre
Both clubs had forwards attracting attention from some of the biggest sides in Europe during the final days of the summer transfer window, and Romain Faivre, having been left out of the last squad because of a possible move to AC Milan. His efficacy will be needed to haul his side away from the trap door however, with at least four months longer at the Brittany outfit. His two assists against PSG, though ultimately immaterial in terms of the outcome, were a timely reminder of what he's capable of, and Benin international Steve Mounié needs that sort of regular supply to trouble Le SCO. Even taking away that beating, they have conceded five in three outings. A more resolute defensive action is required to save Der Zakarian's post, but they have suffered a further blow with left-back Jere Uronen's untimely ankle injury whilst with Finland.
Amadeus Cho!
Teenage sensation Mohamed-Ali Cho, both once on the books of Everton and an England U16 cap winner, is drawing scouts and analysts from across the continent on the back of performances that have propelled Angers up into second position at the time of writing. On a roster replete with veterans, the 17 year old, who can play anywhere across the final third of the pitch, cuts a very distinctive figure, able to drift inside and use both feet well. The spoils of victory have been shared equally throughout Gérald Baticle's charges, and that widespread distribution could be key to maintaining their current run of form. Mathias Pereira Lage will deputise for Souleyman Doumbia on the left, but they should be otherwise unchanged from the XI that swatted aside Rennes.
SCOre one more
Brest, in spite of searching for their first league win, are definitely a threat to their visitors' miserly defensive record of conceding just once in Ligue 1, but they will have to be mindful not to leave their own barn door open. betway have odds of 2.70 for another win on the road for Les Noirs et Blancs and with it, 13 points from a possible 15.
