Before the Round – Trends on France Ligue 2 (05/08)

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France’s Ligue 2 will kick off this weekend with a full slate of matches. Le Havre and Metz won promotion to Ligue 1 last season.

Due to the restructuring of the top flight, four teams were relegated. This season’s Ligue 2 could be one of the most competitive ever in the second division.

Dunkerque – Troyes

Troyes were relegated from Ligue 1 last season, finishing in 19th place. The Blues are seeking an immediate return to the top flight and take on Dunkerque first off. These teams last met in 2020-21 in Ligue 2, with Troyes taking four points from six.

Dunkerque earned promotion from the third division last season. Their goal will be to maintain their Ligue 2 status.

Troyes, on the other hand, are aiming for a quick return to the top flight. In Dunkerque’s last Ligue 2 campaign, they lost nine of their last 10 games.

• USL Dunkerque have lost just 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Troyes AC have lost 4 of their last 6 encounters in all competitions.
• USL Dunkerque have won their last 3 home games in all competitions.
• Both teams have scored in 4 of Troyes AC last 6 fixtures in all competitions.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Paris FC – Caen

Paris FC went unbeaten in five of their last six games versus Caen. That run of form included four wins. However, Caen picked up a 3-1 win at home last season versus Paris FC.

Paris went unbeaten in their last seven games of the 2022-23 Ligue 2 season. The team finished eighth in the standings and 17 points off the top two. Paris FC went unbeaten in their last three home matches versus Caen.

Caen finished fifth in the league last term. They were four points better off than Paris FC. Caen were still 13 points off second place. The team did not play well on the road, posting a record of 5W-9D-9L.

• In their last 7 consecutive matches of Ligue 2 , there have been no losses for Paris FC.
• SM Caen have conceded 1+ goals in all of their last 12 Ligue 2 games.
• Paris FC have won their last 4 home league games.
• SM Caen have won just 2 of their last 6 matches in the league.
• Prediction: Paris FC

Sochaux – Guingamp

Sochaux went unbeaten in five of their last six matches versus Guingamp. However, this weekend’s visitors won their most recent fixture against Sochaux, 1-0.

Guingamp ended the 2022-23 season in seventh place. They went unbeaten in their final four fixtures of the campaign. Guingamp took 30 points from 19 matches on the road a season ago.

Sochaux ended last season on a run of poor form. The Yellow and Blue last their final eight Ligue 2 matches. Four of those defeats were at home.

• A run of 8 straight defeats makes the most recent matches in Ligue 2 of FC Sochaux.
• Guingamp's most recent games have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches in Ligue 2.
• FC Sochaux have won just 1 of their last 10 league games.
• Guingamp have lost just 1 of their 6 most recent encounters in Ligue 2.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals

Stade Lavallois – Angers

Angers were relegated from Ligue 1 last season and are aiming for a big campaign in the second tier. First up for the Black and White are Stade Lavallois. The teams have not played a league game since 2015, so there are no recent results to learn from.

Stade Lavallois ended last season in 15th place. They won four of their last five matches to finish 10 points above the bottom two. Laval won their final four home matches.

Angers finished rock bottom of the Ligue 1 standings in 2022-23. It was an awful season for the club. The club went through three different managers last term. Angers are a bit of a wild card this season in Ligue 2. Can they bounce back? They conceded a Ligue 1 high of 81 goals a season ago.

• Stade Laval have achieved a run of 4 straight home wins in Ligue 2.
• Angers SCO have won just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions.
• Stade Laval have scored 2+ goals in all of their last 4 home Ligue 2 games.
• Angers SCO have scored 1+ goals in 5 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals