Stade Laval
- Stade Laval have failed to win any of their last five league games, drawing three and losing two.
- Laval have struggled for goals and have scored infrequently in recent Ligue 2 games.
- Stade Laval have had a hard season in Ligue 2 in 2025-2026 and are stuck 17th, with 20 points from 27 games.
- He brought in new blood in January with January signing Dylan Mbayo bringing pace and directness to the wing of Laval’s three-defender set-up, which usually plays directly to target men over the top.
- Laval’s defensive line has been unsettled, with Mamadou Samassa anchoring in goal but the back line suffering from injuries and rotation.
- Malik Sellouki is Laval’s main creative spark and a constant threat when he gets the ball in the final third.
- But the Laval players have not had enough to finish off games of late and look short on confidence.
Grenoble
- Grenoble have been in outstanding form for a side in mid-table, but their recent games have been very cagey with four 0-0 draws and a 0-1 defeat in their last five fixtures.
- Grenoble Foot 38 are sitting in mid-table in 13th place with 30 points from 27 matches.
- But Franck Rizzetto has done an outstanding job since taking charge to turn them into one of the toughest sides to break down in Ligue 2.
- Mamadou Diop has been a rock between the posts while Rizzetto has instilled discipline in his defence and midfield.
- Grenoble operate in a compact 4-4-2 or 5-3-2 system in which they are solid at the back, press in the mid-block and get men forward quickly on counterattacks.
- Jessy Benet is the engine of their midfield and does a great job of getting the ball wide and into the attack, but they are short on firepower.
- Yadaly Diaby is the top scorer in the team this season and will be the one to look for to try and break Grenoble’s run of five straight 0-0 or 0-1 games, which could extend to six after Friday’s visit to Laval.
Head-to-Head
The recent head-to-head record in Ligue 2 between the clubs also suggests a low-scoring game with three draws and two one-goal victories , one apiece, in the last five.
Key Players
- Stade Laval
- Dylan Mbayo brought pace and directness to the wing in January.
- Malik Sellouki is Laval’s main creative spark in the final third.
- Mamadou Samassa is anchoring in goal amid defensive injuries and rotation.
- Grenoble Foot 38
- Mamadou Diop has been a rock between the posts.
- Jessy Benet is the midfield engine who gets the ball wide and into the attack.
- Yadaly Diaby is the team’s top scorer and the likely threat to break the run of low-scoring games.
Betting Insights
- Laval are priced as slight favorites at 2.38, but we feel Grenoble are the better bet at 3.25 and the draw at 2.95 reflects what we think will be a very close contest.
- The bookies are giving little chance of there being three or more goals in the game with under 2.5 goals at 1.55 and both teams to score - No at 1.73.
Prediction
- We think the odds on the draw and Grenoble win are a bit rich considering Laval’s form and lack of attacking edge, but a 1-1 draw or 1-0 win for the visitors is our best advice here.
- Set pieces and quick transitions will be the big play for both sides with a home team that needs to find a goal to have a shot at survival and a visiting one happy to shut up shop and hit on the break.
