France : Ligue 2

Back in October, after eleven rounds of this season, we looked at how Ligue 2 games had played out so far in relation to previous campaigns ....

I highlighted a line in the previous preview which I would like to touch upon briefly, Ligue 2 draws are running at 38.18% through 11 rounds, which equates to odds of 2.62, it was a similar story last season 37% after 10 rounds, but down to sub 32% by Christmas, a figure it stayed at through the rest of the campaign, this is a standard trend in this tightest of leagues with matches opening up quite a bit through the second series of ten games an

Tours are only two points off third place and with home games against Creteil and Auxerre up next, with fancy their chances of a big promotion push, especially if they can avoid defeat today. Two things about that, I do not think it will be so easy now that Laval are on a roll and if there is a team unsuited to playing for a point in Ligue 2, it would be the visitors.

Read our full match preview for Tours v Nancy. Officially I will take a chance that Cuvillier and Cuffaut make it and to be honest, defensively Tours look very suspect at the back today, but if you can wait for confirmed news that is better. Dream scenario for me would be that Cuvillier and Cuffaut play, it is level at half time and Nancy are quoted at odds against off level ball, but that is too many ifs and buts, so I will have to be brave and opt for 1.25 units Nancy level ball 2.42 asian line/Ibramarket.

Angers: Midfielder Rayan Frikeche (19 appearances -3 goals -0 assists) and Diego Gomez (15-1-1) remain sidelined, the are a better team with both especially Gomez, but he has not played in 2013 and they have won their last two without his right sided colleague.