This is a league where a little money can go a long way and it is worth noting that of the top 5 teams, 3 have a top 4 budget and the five with the smallest operating finances are Chateauroux 8m euros ( placed 20th), Chambly 7.5 m (16th), Rodez 7.2m (19th), Dunkerque 7m (12th) and Pau 6.5 m (18th). Four of those five have also been promoted in the last two seasons and it has become increasingly difficult to thrive in the second tier coming up from National, without a little financial clout.

 

Those clubs now occupy four of the bottom positions and it is very difficult not to see at least two and quite possibly three playing third tier football next season. 19th placed Pau look one of the prime contenders and whilst there has been a few flickers of life recently, goals remain a major concern. with only Dunkerque scoring fewer and they are a much stronger defensive unit.

 

Le Havre are in 10th place some way off the playoff spots , but with no downward issues and we have seen a strong Ligue 2 finish from them on multiple occasions, you might even say it is the norm and expected . They do not score enough, but are unbeaten in 7 and in four on the road, through which they have not conceded. Here's a good one ...............they are at their very best in these types of games, they are unbeaten in eight away starts against bottom half of the table opposition, winning five and with six clean sheets. They won 1-0 at each of Chateauroux, Chambly and Dunkerque and this is of course very similar and a 4th win by that minimum margin looks a good call.

Le Havre 1-0.