Net ITB numbers for the season directly alongside each team, figures in parentheses are ITB numbers (created-conceded) for the last nine games.

 

Only nine teams have + numbers for those nine games (which includes the top 3 teams) and three of those are minimal , it is quite possible that those other six..........Lens, Ajaccio, Grenoble, Guingamp, Le Havre and Lorient are the best six teams in Ligue 2. Numbers for the other four contenders to that claim in Troyes, Clermont, Auxerre and Nancy have largely regressed or stagnated over the second series of games played (last 14 starts) and give some cause for concern. Having said that, the first two named have a six point + edge over 6th placed Le Havre and look good for at least a playoff spot currently, but I would not totally rule out a collapse from one or the other.

 

Valenciennes numbers have been poor all season and have again nosedived and they have given up 11+ attempts on their own goal in each of their last three starts.

 

Grenoble are a net +20 for their last 4 starts, despite losing three and they are certainly due a change in luck.

 

Ajaccio performance levels have started to mirror results and they and Le Havre are the only teams with + numbers for each of their last five starts.

 

The bottom two clubs do not have relegation type numbers, Orleans have a mountain to climb to survive, but Le Mans have allowed only 28 attempts ITB on their own goal in their last five starts and with a decent budget and support, I favour them to find a route to safety.

 

League leaders Lorient are very fast starters and have a 19-4 goal difference through the opening 30 minutes of games, but are -7 (5-12) for the last 15 minutes of games which sees them ranked 18th, ahead of only Paris FC and Orleans. Racing Club Lens are #1 in this category, they have scored a Ligue 2 high 74.4% of their goals after the break, when their goal difference rises from 0 (10-10) to +15 (29-14).

 

Chateauroux have not scored a goal all season in the opening 10 minutes, but have conceded 15 in the first 15.

 

Just 38.9% of Ligue 2 games have gone "over" 2.5 goals, Auxerre games are running below that at 36%, but 29% of their games have gone "over" 3.5 goals which is 11.1% above the average of 17.9% and several teams in Ligue 2 have a habit of games producing 4 or 5 goals almost as frequently as three and this is something that can be exploited.

 

Only 5 of Valenciennes' games have produced 3+ goals, with both teams scoring in just 8, well below the league average of 45.4%.