Prediction: Rodez vs Paris FC

Verdict: Rodez draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to book their spot in the semi-final of this season’s play-off adventure, Rodez will welcome Paris FC to the Stade Paul-Lignon on Tuesday night.

Rodez

Starting with the hosts, while Rodez might have spent large spells of last season looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, Didier Santini’s men have come roaring back in a sensational fashion. Signing off their regular-season adventure with an impressive performance over the weekend as they clinched a 2-0 victory against AC Ajaccio, the Reds have received plenty of plaudits this year. Officially punching a stellar play-off spot, Tuesday’s hosts should be smelling the chance to make another statement here. Suffering just a pair of defeats from any of their previous 15 consecutive Ligue 2 showdowns, Rodez will also be excited by their continued success on home soil. Including a 2-0 win against Auxerre on April 20th, Santini’s side won three of their previous four second-tier showdowns at the Stade Paul-Lignon.

Team News

Recently cementing his spot as Santini’s number-one choice and rumoured to be attracting plenty of European interest ahead of the summer transfer window, 18-year-old Ewen Jaouen will once again start between the sticks here. Finding the net in two of his final three Ligue 2 appearances, Benin international Andreas Hountondji will spearhead Rodez’s charge.

Although former Dijon defender Ahmad Toure Ngouyamsa Nounchil might have missed out against AC Ajaccio over the weekend, the 23-year-old should return to Santini’s squad on Tuesday night.

Paris FC

As for the visitors, while Paris might have dragged themselves over the finishing line in the race to clinch a top-five finish this season, Stephane Gilli’s men have struggled to find any real consistency over the past month. Winning just a pair of their final five Ligue 2 appearances, the Blues have also continued to show some rather glaring issues outside of the French capital. Along with opening May with routine 2-0 defeat at the hands of Auxerre, Tuesday’s guests have collected just a pair of victories from any of their last 11 straight matchups on the road – a run that stems all the way back December 16th. Likewise, suffering a close-fought 1-0 defeat when they last travelled to the Stade Paul-Lignon on April 23rd, Paris will be bracing themselves for another tricky test here.

Team News

Notching five Ligue 2 goals since the middle of March and spearheading Paris’ charge for the play-off places, former Wolves star Noucha Dicko will once again play a leading role here. Making back-to-back starts over the past fortnight, one-time Sevilla man Timothee Kolodziejczak will partner Mamadou Mbow at the heart of the Blues’ defence on Tuesday night.

Although former Le Havre striker Alimani Gory might have recently returned to Gilli’s squad, the 27-year-old will be forced to settle for another spot on the bench in midweek.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Rodez and Paris FC last met on April 23rd, Tuesday’s hosts collected a 1-0 victory at the Stade Paul-Lignon.
• Rodez collected three victories from their final four Ligue 2 showdowns on home soil this season.
• Paris FC have collected just a pair of wins from any of their last 11 straight matchups on the road – a run that stems all the way back December 16th.
• Likewise, the Blues have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine consecutive Ligue 2 appearances.
• Five of the previous six meetings between Rodez and Paris FC have finished with under 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Clinching a 1-0 victory when they welcomed Paris FC to town for their most recent Ligue 2 showdown on April 23rd, Rodez will certainly be calling on a similar performance here. Winning three of their final four second-tier matchups at the Stade Paul-Lignon, Tuesday’s hosts should be smelling a potential opportunity on home soil. With the midweek guests mustering just a pair of away wins since opening the New Year, we are predicting a Rodez draw no bet.

Verdict: Rodez draw no bet

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster