Stade Lavallois
- Laval have not been consistent in their last five games, winning twice in the Coupe de France but losing 4-0 at Reims and 4-1 at Clermont in league away games.
- With Stade Lavallois 17th with approximately 15 points in Ligue 2, just above the relegation zone, and SC Bastia rock bottom in 18th place, desperate for any points to launch their survival bid, Friday’s game has massive implications.
- They have not been as consistent as they need to be to stay up, but a pair of wins over tougher opponents in the cup suggest they can grind out a victory in a knockout-type match.
SC Bastia
- Bastia are in mixed form, with a creditable 1-0 home win over Grenoble and a cup victory at Pontivy followed by a 0-3 home defeat to Red Star and a 0-2 exit to Troyes.
- Bastia boss Réginald Ray has tried to build a more expressive, possession-based team that will press and play through the thirds in fluid formations.
Key Players
- A back three, or sometimes a back four, with a disciplined midfield and two wide men who are fast and strong on the ball, is the system, with forward Malik Tchokounté their penalty-taker and one of their leading scorers.
- Young goalkeeper Noah Raveyre has produced some fine displays in a team that has struggled defensively and Zakaria Ariss provides leadership in defence, but the creative spark is Amine Boutrah, who is also a reliable goal scorer.
Head-to-Head
Set pieces and who gets the early momentum could decide it, but there is a chance of three or more goals in the game as there has been in four of the last six meetings between the clubs in Ligue 2.
Betting Insights
- Bookmakers make the hosts favorites at 2.4, with Bastia 3.25 and the draw 2.9.
- The odds on under 2.5 goals at 1.45 are very short, but given the quality of these two sides, we expect the game to remain close and cagey.
Prediction
Both teams have some injury issues and suspension risks, so late team news could be pivotal, but we will go with the draw or Laval to win in this clash as there are more indications of momentum from their recent cup win at Istres .
