- Team form: Rodez Aveyron are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions (W6, D4).
- Opponents' form: Stade Laval are on a mixed run of three wins, five draws and two defeats in their last 10 in all competitions.
- Goals per game: Rodez average 1.80 goals per game at home in all competitions, scoring nine in total, while Laval average 0.60 on the road, scoring just three.
Tactical tussle in the South West
Rodez Aveyron come into this as the bookies' favourites at 1.95, ahead of Stade Laval at 3.7, with the draw at 3.45 and the goals markets strongly suggest this will be a tight game, with Under 2.5 at 1.85 and BTTS No at 1.95.
There is little to go on regarding a head-to-head record, and Saturday's meeting will be less of a rivalry game more a tactical battle between two sides who have similar objectives.
Didier Santini has overseen a real improvement in Rodez since he took the helm on 27 November 2022 and they are now a side that are well drilled, tough to break down and have a good balance in the final third.
Rodez have the momentum
Rodez setup
Santini's men will usually set up in a 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 system, sit deep and wait for their moment to strike on the counterattack.
Laval's form and approach
Stade Laval's form has been a little more erratic, with two wins, two draws and one defeat in their last five. David Vignes still brings a strong organization-first approach to Laval, who set up in a 4-4-2 and use a more controlled system of pressing that triggers rather than smothers opponents.
Rodez more likely to edge this
Rodez are unbeaten in their last 10, taking six wins and four draws, and there's real momentum in their camp.
A Rodez win and under 2.5 goals is a big call but should come in at just shy of even odds.
- Laval, on the other hand, have been patchy on the road, winning one, drawing two and losing two of their last five away games in all competitions.
- Rodez are the more likely winner here but the odds and the make-up of these two sides, both of which are compact, suggests a cagey game.
