Ajaccio – Nancy
Nancy suffered a couple of poor results before the international break, so will be desperate to rebound here. A victory in the cup last week facing Troyes should’ve boosted their confidence, but this wont be an easy trip to Corsica. Ajaccio have been much better since they sacked Christian Braconi and are likely to be tough to beat. On the positive side for Nancy, they have a squad at full strength, but will it be enough? A draw seems pretty likely to me here but if either team won it 1-0, it wouldn’t be too much of a shock. I’m not interested in betting on this game, I just don’t see an edge for either side.
Prediction: Ajaccio 1-1 Nancy NO BET
Clermont – Tours
It must be noted that Clermont actually have a fairly good recent home record. They have won 4 of their last 5 at Le Stade Gabriel Montpied and actually looked fairly decent in front of their own fans. You would think they have a decent chance here too facing a poor Tours outfit who have struggled this season. They are 2nd bottom having lost 11/15 games this season although have shown some recent signs of improvement. A draw at Niort and then a win against GFC snapped a poor streak, so perhaps the visitors shouldn’t be underestimated today. I think Clermont will ultimately claim victory in what should be an open match, but I don’t trust them enough to actually place a bet.
Prediction: Clermont 2-1 Tours NO BET
Creteil – Arles
I must say I really fancy Creteil in this match. They have had a 2 week break from competitive matches, so should be really refreshed and looked in form since they sacked Philippe Hinchberger as manager. Arles have just been a mess this season, used up too many players and simply don’t seem to have much team cohesion. They are constantly making mistakes at the back and getting punished. In terms of tactics and organisation, they are non existent. The Parisian hosts should win this contest, but can they be backable at odds-on? Really, only the top teams in Ligue 2 should be odds- on in any fixture so its dubious if they are worth betting on right now.
Prediction: Creteil 3-1 Arles NO BET
GFC – Auxerre
The big problem for GFC here is poor team news. They are missing 4 players to suspension in addition to a few injuries. In total, 7 first team starters are ruled out which is a really tough ask for any team, let alone a promoted outfit who have a small squad. Auxerre should be able to get the job done tonight, they themselves have no such problems in terms of team selection. For those who might be worried about GFC’s great home record, well if you look in detail maybe it’s not so impressive. Apart from Dijon, all they have beaten are really poor teams. Ok, they still deserve respect here on Corsica, but missing so many key players you really have got to think they’ll at least draw. I think it’s worth taking them DNB for a few units.
Prediction: GFC 0-2 Auxerre
Recommended bet: Auxerre DNB @ 2.15 4/10
Le Havre – Laval
I did actually fancy Havre here but they have undergone a managerial departure this week. Erick Mombaerts has moved to pastures new and resigned, although this might not be the worst of things. The ex France U21s boss has never really lived up to full expectations here in Normandie, so long term they might be better off without him. It is however possible in the short term that the squad is affected negatively though and they could struggle tonight. I personally think they’ll have enough for Laval but the visitors have drawn an incredibly large number of games this season and have proved difficult to beat. If Le Havre start this match well then I wouldnt hesitate to back them in running, but pre match there are one or two doubts, so I’ll stay away.
Prediction; Le Havre 1-0 Laval NO BET
Niort – Sochaux
Sochaux are unbeaten in 12 ligue games and have yet to suffer defeat away from home this season. They suffered a shock loss to Strasbourg in the cup on Monday night, but it’s quite possible of a rebound tonight. I don’t expect this to be much of a classic. Niort are only a mediocre side who tend to struggle scoring goals. This one smells of a draw, maybe even a 0-0. Chances are likely to be at a premium and it’s not the sort of fixture that really interests me from a betting point of view.
Prediction: Niort 0-0 Sochaux NO BET
Orleans – Angers
Under normal circumstances I would heavily favour the draw here, but Angers team news makes me think they’ll struggle. A number of first team regulars are ruled out of this contest and this doesn’t bode well, especially as they are normally pretty bad away. Orleans are a strange side who can be hard to protect. It’s rare I have gotten involved betting in many of their matches and again here I feel they might be just a bit too short. I’d want a little bit more before I got involved so although I think they’ll win, this is a currently a no bet contest for me.
Prediction: Orleans 1-0 Angers NO BET
Valenciennes – Chateauroux
This should really end up as a fairly comfortable home win. But just like the Creteil match, does anyone really want to back Valenciennes as an odds-on shot? I don’t really want to because they are just an average sort of side. It’s true the northern outfit have found some form of late but they aren’t yet a power outfit for ligue 2 standards. Chateauroux are the worst team in Ligue 2 and are usually awful away but there’s a chance they might sneak a draw. So unless the price rises a little bit then I wont bet here, although like I said, VA should get the job done.
Prediction: Valenciennes 2-0 Chateauroux NO BET
Lyon – Caen
This should be a really open and exciting game of football. Caen have really struggled of late but aren’t perhaps as bad as their results might suggest. Their problem is they don’t have much of a brain at times. They try and play attractive football but that is never going to work in ligue 1 unless you have a lot of really good players. They need to be more boring and defensive, otherwise in fixtures like this they could get torn apart. Lyon should win but the question is by how many. Caen are usually good for at least a goal against anyone and I could see them scoring at least once tonight. I’d fancy the overs but unfortunately with a goal line of 2.75 it’s fairly unbackable for France. Good match to watch but not bet in before it’s started IMO.
Prediction: Lyon 4-2 Caen NO BET