Troyes vs Auxerre prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2022-11-03 20:00.
Troyes finished the previous round as one of three Ligue 1 sides without a win in any of their last five outings (D3, L2), but could perhaps consider themselves unfortunate after some close contests. Both losses came by just a single goal margin, with the most recent defeat at the hands of defending champions Paris Saint-Germain coming despite Bruno Irles’ men becoming the first visiting Ligue 1 side to score three at the Parc des Princes since Bordeaux in February 2020.
While Troyes may appear comfortable in a mid-table position, this is their joint-lowest Ligue 1 points total after 13 rounds since 2015/16. They’re even two points worse off than their last relegation campaign in 2017/18, a fate they’ll be desperate to avoid repeating to establish themselves as a permanent top-flight presence. If ESTAC are to secure safety, a better return on home soil may be necessary after being held to draws in each of their last four fixtures at the Stade de l’Aube.
Auxerre may well be the perfect opposition, then, as no side in Ligue 1 has returned fewer points on their travels than their measly total of three (W1, L5). Each of their last four road trips have ended in defeat, leaving the newly-promoted outfit just two points clear of the relegation zone heading into the weekend.
This is also a matchup they have struggled in historically, losing seven of 14 away H2Hs (W4, D3). Their last win at Troyes was enjoyed way back in 2014, with each of their three more recent trips ending in misery, so there appears very little reason to believe they can climb up the table in this upcoming clash.
Players to watch: Troyes forward Mama Baldé has netted seven times in Ligue 1 already this term, as many as Lionel Messi but with 14 fewer shots! Up against him will be Auxerre midfielder Hamza Sakhi, who struck the winner in his side’s latest match to end their eight-game winless streak.
Hot stat: Troyes are the only team in Ligue 1 yet to keep a clean sheet this season.