Clermont vs AC Ajaccio prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2023-04-01 13:00.
Manager Pascal Gastien has publicly set his Clermont side a target of two victories from their next three games as they look to secure their place in Ligue 1 for next season. The Lancers were already 11 points clear of the relegation zone after matchday 28, but their head coach isn’t taking anything for granted, urging his players to “take the points we need as quickly as possible” in order to beat the drop.
Staying up would be a huge achievement for Clermont, who are enjoying their second season in the French top flight. Results have worryingly dipped in recent weeks though, with a 2-1 defeat away to Montpellier just before the international break meaning they have won only one of their last nine fixtures (D3, L5), failing to score in six of those games.
History suggests they may be able to end that poor form against opponents Ajaccio, who have been victorious on just one of their previous ten trips to Stade Gabriel Montpied (D4, L5). That is not a good omen for the Bears, who make the long journey from Corsica knowing every point is vital in their own battle against relegation from Ligue 1.
Olivier Pantaloni’s side are also recent newcomers to the top flight after being promoted last season, but they have struggled to keep their heads above water and went into the international break three points from safety. Their position in the table has not been helped by a sequence of ten defeats from their last 12 league outings (W2), a run that includes five losses in half a dozen away fixtures (W1), during which time they conceded 17 goals whilst scoring only three.
Key battle: Saîf-Eddine Khaoui is Clermont’s joint-top scorer with four league goals this season, and has an excellent record of seven wins from the last nine games in which he has netted. Trying to thwart him will be Ajaccio goalkeeper Benjamin Leroy, who has only kept one clean sheet in his last 13 away appearances in Ligue 1 (W2, D2, L9).
Hot stat: Just 11 of Ajaccio’s 28 matches have seen both teams score, the lowest total in Ligue 1.