Troyes preview

• Just one loss in their last six games has seen ESTAC steadily climb the table.
• Somehow managed to obtain a draw against Nimes in midweek, despite being outplayed and having 10 men for the whole second half.
• Red cards have affected them recently and it’s been a tough schedule for Troyes of late.
• No new injuries to worry about and veteran playmaker returns to the team after being rested in midweek.
• Troyes are unbeaten at home since the opening day.

Tours preview

• Lost their last three consecutive games and only won once all season, which was at lowly Niort.
• The Tours defence, which was so strong under Marco Simeone last year has looked a shadow of it’s former self. Their only clean sheet was way back on the opening day.
• They aren’t helped by the fact that three starting defenders all miss out again tonight. Gradit, Miguel & Louvion are injured.
• Goalscoring hasn’t been as much of a problem and they’ve netted in all but two of their contests.

Conclusion & betting analysis

• Troyes head into the match in better form but a tough physical schedule could cost them here. They played with 10 men for 45 mins just three nights ago.
• That said, Tours seem a bit of a mess, especially defensively. They are all too easy to pick apart at the moment.
• Both sides have only had one clean sheet each all year. It’s difficult to envisage this being a defensive battle.
• Over 2.25 goals close to the 1.85 mark makes immediate appeal.
• Should be a match containing chances at both ends with neither defence looking assured.
• Troyes do seem the most likely to win and I considered taking them on a -0.25 handicap. But overall I think it’s too risky.

Prediction: 2-1

Recommended bet 1 unit: Over 2.25 goals @ 1.84