Angers SCO will be looking for an improved result here following the 0-2 Ligue 1 defeat last time out to Monaco.

In that game, Angers SCO had 44% possession and 6 attempts at goal with 2 on target. Monaco had 16 attempts at goal with 5 on target. Mika Biereth (77′) and Maghnes Akliouche (88′) scored for Monaco.

It’s been seldom in recent times where Angers SCO haven’t conceded. It will be a concern for them that Angers SCO have failed to prevent opponents from scoring in 5 of their previous 6 matches, shipping 12 goals during that time.

Their prior results show that Angers SCO:

• have not registered a win against Rennes in their last 4 league matches.
• are without a home win in the past 4 league matches. Things will have to change soon.

Following on from tasting defeat last time out to RC Lens in Ligue 1 action, Rennes and their travelling supporters will be hoping that they can get a better result in this one.

In that match, Rennes managed 55% possession and 12 shots at goal with 5 of them on target. On the other side, Lens got 9 shots on goal with 4 of them on target. Wesley Saïd (47′) scored for RC Lens.

The trend of at least one team drawing a blank in games involving Rennes has become apparent of late. Looking at their last 6 outings shows that this has happened 5 times. During these clashes, their opponents have hit a goal total of 7 while Rennes have scored 8. Nonetheless, we’ll just have to find out whether such a trend might be maintained here in this game.

 Head to head

Inspecting their prior head to head meetings going back to 17/04/2021 shows us that Angers SCO have won 1 of them and Rennes 5, with the tally of drawn matches standing at 0.

18 goals were scored between the two sides throughout the course of those matches, with 5 of them from Les Scoïstes and 13 created by Rennes. That is an average goals per game value of 3.

The last league match featuring these sides was Ligue 1 match day 15 on 15/12/2024 when the final score was Rennes 2-0 Angers SCO.

That time, Rennes managed 45% possession and 7 shots on goal with 4 of them on target. Goals were scored by Albert Grønbæk (33′) and Lorenz Assignon (92′).

At the other end, Angers SCO got 3 attempts at goal with 0 of them on target.

The referee was Hakim Ben El Hadj.

 Team News: Angers SCO

Cédric Hountondji (Achilles tendon contusion) and Sidiki Chérif (Dead leg) are unavailable for Angers SCO boss Alexandre Dujeux.

In our view, Les Scoïstes could employ a 4-2-3-1 system for this game, utilising Yahia Fofana, Carlens Arcus, Abdoulaye Bamba, Jordan Lefort, Florent Hanin, Haris Belkebla, Yassin Belkhdim, Zinedine Ferhat, Pierrick Capelle, Jim Allevinah and Esteban Lepaul.

 Team News: Rennes

Rennes manager Habib Beye has not got a full squad to pick from. Lilian Brassier (Hamstring injury), Doğan Alemdar (Cruciate ligament tear), Alidu Seidu (Cruciate ligament tear) and Ludovic Blas (Dead leg) won’t be making appearances.

We reckon that Rennes could decide to play in a 3-5-2 system, starting the game with Brice Samba, Jeremy Jacquet, Anthony Rouault, Mikayil Faye, Lorenz Assignon, Djaoui Cisse, Azor Matusiwa, Jordan James, Adrien Truffert, A. Kalimuendo-Muinga and Kyogo Furuhashi.

 Prediction

In our opinion, Angers SCO could find themselves up against it to hit the back of the net against this Rennes outfit who we think might just have the edge.

We’re going for a hard-fought 1-2 victory for Rennes when the referee blows for full-time.

Should be interesting.

Fiorentina fans will want a repeat of their previous result, being the 3-0 Serie A victory versus Juventus.

In that game, Fiorentina had 37% possession and 9 attempts on goal with 3 of them on target. For Fiorentina, the goalscorers were Robin Gosens (15′), Rolando Mandragora (18′) and Albert Guðmundsson (53′). Juventus had 11 shots at goal with 2 of them on target.

Over their prior six fixtures, Raffaelle Palladino’s Fiorentina have celebrated scoring a combined total of 10 times which gives them an average number of goals per match of 1.67.

Heading into this contest, Fiorentina haven’t been defeated in their previous 2 home league matches.

After suffering a loss in their previous game against Inter Milan in Serie A action, Atalanta and their travelling supporters will be hoping that they can get a better result in this one.

In that game, Atalanta managed 50% possession and 16 attempts on goal with 3 on target. For their opponents, Inter Milan had 14 shots on goal with 5 on target. Carlos Augusto (54′) and Lautaro Martínez (87′) scored for Inter Milan.

The trend of at least one side getting a clean sheet in games featuring Atalanta has been fairly consistent of late. A glance at their last 6 outings shows that it’s occurred 5 times. In those clashes, opposing sides have managed a goal total of 5 and Atalanta have scored 10. In any event, we must now wait to see whether that trend might persist in this next game.

Going into this game, the form guide shows that Atalanta:

• have not registered a win against Fiorentina in away games against them for the last 3 league games.
• are unbeaten in their last 12 away league matches. What an impressive run of results.

 Head to head

A glance at their most recent head-to-head meetings dating back to 17/04/2023 tells us that Fiorentina have won 3 of them & Atalanta 2, with the number of drawn matches being 1.

There were also plenty of goals scored in those games, 23 in total which averages out at 3.83 goals per meeting.

The last league encounter featuring these clubs was Serie A match day 4 on 15/09/2024 which ended up with the score at Atalanta 3-2 Fiorentina.

On that occasion, Atalanta had 52% possession and 13 shots on goal with 7 on target. Goals were scored by Mateo Retegui (21′), Ademola Lookman (45′) and Charles De Ketelaere (45′).

On the other side, Fiorentina got 13 attempts at goal with 5 on target. Lucas Martínez Quarta (15′) and Moise Kean (32′) scored.

The match was refereed by Juan Luca Sacchi.

 Team News: Fiorentina

There aren’t many selection issues, with just a single fitness concern for the Fiorentina boss Raffaelle Palladino to be concerned about thanks to an otherwise robust group. Edoardo Bove (heart problems) is out of contention.

In all likelihood, La Viola will possibly make use of the 3-5-2 formation for this one, handing starts to David De Gea, Marin Pongracic, Pablo Mari, Luca Ranieri, Dodo, Rolando Mandragora, Danilo Cataldi, Nicolo Fagioli, Robin Gosens, Albert Gudmundsson and Moise Kean.

 Team News: Atalanta

Atalanta manager Gian Gasperini has to contend with a number of unavailable players. Mateo Retegui (muscular problems), Ibrahim Sulemana (Adductor pain), Odilon Kossounou (Adductor injury), Stefan Posch (Hamstring muscle injury), Giorgio Scalvini (Shoulder injury) and Gianluca Scamacca (Hamstring injury) are not able to play.

We reckon that La Dea seem most likely to elect for a 4-4-2 system, going with Marco Carnesecchi, Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, Sead Kolasinac, Raoul Bellanova, Marten de Roon, Mario Pasalic, Davide Zappacosta, Charles De Ketelaere, Marco Brescianini and Ademola Lookman.

 Prediction

In our opinion, Fiorentina will need to put in a solid display to register a score against this Atalanta team who we think will likely do enough to score at the other end and edge ahead.

We’re therefore tipping a 1-2 winning score for Atalanta when all is said and done.

Grêmio head into this game after a 3-3 Copa do Brasil drawn game vs Athletic Club.

In that match, Grêmio managed 32% possession and 12 shots at goal with 7 on target. For Grêmio, goals were scored by Martin Braithwaite (11′), João Lucas (20′, 90′ Own goal) and Matías Arezo (89′). Athletic Club had 17 attempts at goal with 5 on target. After a tense 8-7 penalty shootout, Grêmio were victorious.

It’s been a rare occasion in recent games that Grêmio haven’t conceded. It will be a concern for them that Grêmio have been scored against in 6 of their previous 6 clashes, leaking 10 goals along the way. Such a pattern won’t necessarily be carried forward into this match, however.

Atlético Mineiro will go into the clash following on from a 4-1 Copa do Brasil win as they beat Manaus in their most recent outing.

In that game, Atlético Mineiro had 75% possession and 33 attempts on goal with 12 on target. For Atlético Mineiro, goals were scored by Alisson (18′), Tomás Cuello (32′), Rony (47′) and Deyverson (65′). At the other end, Manaus had 4 attempts on goal with 2 of them on target.

In the course of their 6 previous matches, Cuca Stival’s Atlético Mineiro have found the net 10 times therefore yielding them the goals scored per game average of 1.67.

 Head to head

A look at their past head-to-head clashes stretching back to 04/11/2021 shows that Grêmio have won 2 of these & Atlético Mineiro 4, with the tally of drawn games standing at 0.

Those games weren’t short on goals, either, with 22 in all at an average of 3.67 goals per meeting.

The last league contest between the two was Serie A match day 6 on 09/10/2024 when the final score was Atlético Mineiro 2-1 Grêmio.

In that game, Atlético Mineiro had 45% possession and 14 shots at goal with 5 on target. The scorers were Hulk (11′) and Deyverson (39′).

At the other end, Grêmio got 14 attempts on goal with 4 of them on target. Alexander Aravena (24′) scored.

The match was refereed by Luis Flávio de Oliveira.

 Team News: Grêmio

Walter Kannemann (Hip flexor problems) and Mayk (Hamstring injury) aren’t available for Grêmio manager Gustavo Quinteros.

 Team News: Atlético Mineiro

Thanks to a mainly available squad, there is just the sole fitness issue for the Atlético Mineiro gaffer Cuca Stival to be concerned about. Cadu (Torn knee ligaments) misses out for this game.

 Prediction

In our view, Atlético Mineiro have the capability to put one past this Grêmio outfit, although it might not quite be as many as they’ll concede.

We’re tipping a 2-1 win for Grêmio by the conclusion of the game. It will be interesting to see how this one goes.

Unión Española, who won their previous game, will hope for a similar result following the 0-4 Campeonato Nacional success versus Deportes Iquique.

An interesting trait of more recent Unión Española games is the number of nil scores.

Taking their prior six clashes before this one, in 5 of them a wager on BTTS would have been a loser. Previous results aside, we must now wait to see whether the trend might be replicated in this next game or not.

In their last game, Universidad Católica drew 1-1 in the Campeonato Nacional match with Ñublense.

The only player to score from Universidad Católica was Fernando Zuqui (46′). Lorenzo Reyes (97′) was the scorer for Ñublense.

Looking at their form, and Universidad Católica have been scored against in 5 of their last 6 games, with opponents netting 7 goals overall. In defence, Universidad Católica could really do with shoring things up.

 Head to head

An examination of their most recent head-to-head meetings going back to 13/02/2022 tells us that Unión Española have won 1 of them & Universidad Católica 3, with the tally of drawn matches standing at 2.

A combined total of 19 goals were produced between them during those clashes, with 9 of them for Rojos de Santa Laura and 10 being from Cruzados. That is an average goals per game value of 3.17.

The previous league contest featuring these sides was Campeonato Nacional match day 26 on 29/09/2024 when it finished Universidad Católica 0-2 Unión Española.

 Team News: Unión Española

There aren’t many selection issues, with just a single fitness concern for the Unión Española gaffer José Sierra to contend with from a near full-strength group. Felipe Massri (Knee surgery) is sidelined.

 Team News: Universidad Católica

Universidad Católica has multiple availability issues to deal with. Valber Huerta (Fitness) and Thomas Gillier (Tendon tear) are not able to play.

 Prediction

We’re inclined to think that Universidad Católica and Unión Española are both capable of scoring here.

A draw looks like a realistic possibility, but we’ll see what happens. Our tip is therefore for a very even match with a 2-2 draw at full-time.

San Lorenzo go into this fixture after a 0-0 Torneo Apertura draw versus Godoy Cruz.

In that match, San Lorenzo managed 59% possession and 11 attempts on goal with 2 of them on target. Godoy Cruz had 8 shots on goal with 0 on target.

In their prior 6 fixtures, San Lorenzo have hit the back of the net a total of 7 times giving them an average number of goals scored per match of 1.17.

Lanús will go into this encounter following a 4-1 Torneo Apertura win with the defeat of Instituto in their last game.

In that match, Lanús had 55% possession and 27 attempts at goal with 10 of them on target. For Lanús, the goals were scored by Ramiro Carrera (44′), Alexis Segovia (61′), Marcelino Moreno (70′) and Alexis Canelo (92′). On the other side, Instituto got 9 attempts on goal with 5 of them on target. Alex Luna (18′) was the scorer for Instituto.

A sequence of hard-working performances by the Lanús defensive unit has seen their ‘goals against’ tally amounting to 3 from their previous 6 fixtures in total. During the same period, the number of goals that they have scored themselves amounts to 5. Such a pattern won’t necessarily be carried forward into this match, though.

 Head to head

Inspecting their most recent head-to-head meetings stretching back to 20/10/2021 tells us that San Lorenzo have won 1 of these and Lanús 4, with the number of drawn games standing at 1.

An aggregate of 14 goals were produced between them throughout the course of those matches, with 4 for Ciclón and 10 coming from Granate. That is an average goals per game value of 2.33.

The previous league clash featuring these clubs was Primera División match day 2 on 20/05/2024 when it finished San Lorenzo 1-1 Lanús.

That day, San Lorenzo had 63% possession and 20 shots at goal with 4 of them on target. The scorer was Cristian Ferreira (66′).

Lanús had 13 attempts on goal with 3 of them on target. Walter Bou (19′) scored.

The referee was Pablo Echavarría.

 Team News: San Lorenzo

The San Lorenzo manager will be grateful not to have any fitness concerns whatsoever before this clash thanks to a completely healthy squad available to select from.

 Team News: Lanús

With a fully healthy group available to choose from, the Lanús manager has zero fitness worries to speak of ahead of this game.

 Prediction

We’re of the opinion that Lanús will likely be able to score against this San Lorenzo outfit, although that probably shouldn’t be as many as they’ll concede.

We’re tipping both teams to score in a 2-1 victory for San Lorenzo after the 90. Let’s see what happens here.