Valenciennes vs Dijon Predictions

• Valenciennes have conceded the least goals in Ligue 2 with just eleven hitting the back of Jérôme Prior’s net in 19 outings, they also have five clean sheets in their last seven matches in all competitions.
• The hosts are currently on a run of three consecutive wins at home and six wins in their last seven games.
• Dijon ended 2019 with no wins in their final five games and could struggle here as they have the second worst away record in Ligue 1 with just one win and eight defeats in their eleven matches on the road.

Dijon looking to put 2019’s struggles behind them

Stéphane Jobard’s Dijon currently sit 16th in Ligue 1 and finished 2019 in some pretty soggy form. The Mustards are an extremely frustrating team to support as they can sometimes produce moment of historical brilliance, such as their 2-1 win over PSG, but they always seem to follow it up with an extremely disappointing return to reality like the draws with Metz (2-2) and Amiens (1-1). They finished off the decade with three draws and two defeats in their last five games and have won just two matches since mid-October. 

Dijon have had a real problem with scoring as they have netted the second least goals in Ligue 1 with just 14 in their 19 games. This lack of goals at the top end has been paired with quite a few goals at the wrong end as they haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last ten outings which will make great reading for Valenciennes fans. The Mustards will also have to compete with their awful away record here as they travel a long way north to beside the Belgian border. They have won just one of their eleven away days this season with eight defeats making it one of the worst records in the top flight. 

Over-performing Valenciennes looking for a cupset

Valenciennes go into this match in completely different form as they have been quickly ascending the Ligue 2 table. They have won four and drawn one of their last five league games which has carried them to 5th in the table which is quite the feat for a team that has never finished in the top half of any league since 2006. 

Les Athéniens are one of three teams to have beaten leaders Lens this season and they have put much of their success down to a rock solid defence. Valenciennes have conceded the least goals in Ligue 2 this season (11 in 19 matches) and have five clean sheets in their last seven games in all competitions. They are one of the lowest scoring teams in the league but that hasn’t been the case recently as they have netted twelve times in their last seven matches.

The Ligue 2 side to edge Dijon?

Les Athéniens have won each of their last three matches at the Stade du Hainaut including victories over Lens (1st in Ligue 2) and Lorient (3rd in Ligue 2) so they should be full of confidence going into this match. As a result of their tremendous form at home and in the league, we’re backing them to get the win here as they host a Dijon side bereft of any belief following their underwhelming end to 2019. Valenciennes will have to deal with the step up in quality as they face Dijon but with their sound defence we’re backing them to beat the goal starved Mustards 1-0.