Le Mans v Valenciennes 15/11/08 (19:00 cet)

Le Mans lost 1-2 at Sochaux last weekend and this was their 3rd consecutive defeat. After a flying start to the new season, reality is now starting to set in for Yves Bertucci’s men and they will be desperate to get back to winning ways in this match.

Fortunately, they face the team that is currently worst of anyone in ligue 1, and who are usually atrocious on their travels. Valenciennes arrive here under real pressure and are without a win in 10 games.

They sit rock bottom of the table, and at the moment they look a very strong candidate for relegation. In the last couple of years, their excellent home form has managed to keep them in the top flight, but I knew that as soon as this dried up, then they would struggle to keep afloat.

On the road they are usually woeful and haven’t won an away game for an eternity. Coach, Antoine Koumbouare will be desperate to pick up at least a draw here, but the simple fact is that VA just aren’t playing well enough. They cant score goals and they cant seem to defend, a recipe for disaster.

Le Mans might have hit a sticky spell, but this game comes at a good time for them. I would be surprised if they failed to take maximum points out of the fixture.

Le Mans -0.75 AH @ 1.91 Pinnacle - Click here to bet