Sochaux
- Sochaux are 2nd in the National 2025/2026 with 57 points from 31 games.
- Sochaux should have enough quality to edge out a pragmatic Le Puy side that are adept at keeping the score down on Friday.
- Hognon took over in July 2025 and has moulded the team into a well-organised, ball-dominant unit that can play in an explosive 4-2-3-1 system that presses high up the field.
- Le Puy come into this clash having conceded only 17 goals in 15 away games, but they will probably be up against a Sochaux side that has scored 26 times in 15 home matches.
Le Puy
- Le Puy are 7th with 46 points from 31 matches.
- Le Puy are the sort of team that Sochaux’s high press can stifle as Stéphane Dief’s men are pragmatic to a fault, preferring to set up in a compact block and attack on the break.
- Le Puy come into this game on the back of a two-match losing streak that included a 4-0 defeat away to FC Fleury 91 and have no wins in their last five, drawing two and losing three.
- Their overall away form of seven wins, three draws and five defeats is just about good enough to consolidate their status in National 2025/2026 after winning promotion last season.
Key Players
- The central midfield of Joseph Lopy is key to their style as he can control games while the wide midfielders create chaos on the flanks.
- Benjamin Gomel is their chief executioner in the final third with 12 goals in 30 league games, but Le Puy are not without a set-piece threat of their own in the shape of captain Maxime Giron.
Betting Insights
The 1.65 home favorites have looked the most likely National 2025/2026 promotion candidates all season, but Vincent Hognon’s team have looked a little jaded in their last five, winning only one, drawing three and losing one.
Prediction
Sochaux are unbeaten in their last three at home, winning one and drawing two, and should edge this one based on their home strength and greater attacking prowess.
