Auxerre vs Reims prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-02-04 14:00.
An instant return to the second-tier looks a distinct possibility for one-time French champions Auxerre, after an unfortunate club record seventh straight Ligue 1 defeat last time out against Monaco (3-2) left them six points adrift of safety. It’s not all doom and gloom at Auxerre though, with a series of exciting young players coming in during the January transfer window boosting belief they can stop the rot soon.
A return to Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps may perhaps soothe any anxieties Auxerre fans are experiencing given they’ve picked up 69% of their points here, but unfortunately that number is only a meagre nine (W2, D3, L5). A league-high ten home league goals conceded in three home games by Auxerre since the World Cup perhaps indicates why they’ve brought in four defensive-minded players, though it remains to be seen if they can solve their defensive woes.
The hierarchy at Reims seem to have pulled off a masterstroke by putting their faith in young manager Will Still. Their head coach is five years younger than PSG striker Lionel Messi but has managed to stitch together an incredible 13-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1 (W5, D8), culminating in a 4-2 win against Lorient after falling 2-0 behind during the first half on Wednesday.
However Reims reportedly have to cough up a sizable £22k fine each time Still manages the club due to him not possessing a UEFA pro licence qualification. That’s money well spent as far as the visitors are concerned, as one more unbeaten game here would secure their outright longest unbeaten run in the top-flight since a 15-game run way back in 1959!
Players to watch: Auxerre new boy Siriki Dembélé proved crucial for his sides last season, with five of his seven goals at club level proving decisive in victories. He will be happy if his loan becomes anywhere near as successful as Folarin Balogun’s at Reims, with the Arsenal man hitting his first senior career hat-trick last time out to move him top of the Ligue 1 scoring charts (G14)!
Hot stat: Reims have failed to win half of their league games when scoring first this season (W5, D4, L1).