Clermont Troyes prediction 2022-09-18

Clermont vs Troyes prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-09-17 13:00.
If the offer of ten points after seven Ligue 1 games (W3, D1, L3) was available before the season for Clermont, it’s likely the Lancers would’ve gleefully accepted. Clermont’s three league victories so far this season is equal to what they managed across their final 15 Ligue 1 games of last season (D3, L9), highlighting a clear summer improvement for Pascal Gastien’s side.

With three straight H2H victories over Troyes, Clermont ought to be confident of continuing their resurgence on home turf, where they have won their last two games ‘to nil’. Defensively, it’s clear Clermont have visibly improved this season, and another “solid” defensive showing here – to borrow the words of Gastien in the aftermath of Clermont’s 0-0 vs Strasbourg last weekend – could see the club keep three straight top-flight clean sheets for the first time ever!

With ten goals across their last six Ligue 1 away outings (W1, D2, L3), Troyes will hope to have something to say about ending that run, and they notably scored four against Monaco at the end of August in an impressive 4-2 victory. With this team backed by the City Group, headed by Manchester City, it’s perhaps a surprise to see just two victories so far this season for Troyes (D1, L4) after a frenetic summer window.

With four clubs now dropping into Ligue 2 this season, the battle to avoid relegation seems set to be hotly-contested, and Troyes could be one of those sides involved in that fight. However, the fact that only high-flying Lens have beaten Troyes across their last four league outings (W2, D1) shows there is fight in the ranks, and perhaps instills belief that boss Bruno Irles can secure victory on his first ever managerial visit to Clermont.

Players to watch: Muhammed Cham Saračević has seen all three of his Clermont goals this term arrive after half-time, whilst Florian Tardieu has scored from the spot three times on the road already this season, and remarkably his last 12 Troyes goals have all come via penalties.

Hot stat: Clermont have been saved by the woodwork nine times this season – more than any other side in the big-five European leagues.