Dunkerque vs Guingamp Prediction

Right then, gather round. We've got a proper Ligue 2 cracker on Friday night. Dunkerque, sitting pretty in 6th, welcome Guingamp who are just one point and one place behind them in 7th. This isn't just any old match, it's a six-pointer that could shake up the promotion chase. Let's get stuck in.

Dunkerque have been a bit of a mixed bag lately, if we're being honest. They've won five of their last ten, which ain't bad, but they're coming off the back of two straight 1-0 losses. They fell at home to a decent Annecy side and away to high-flying Le Mans. Before that wobble, they were flying – remember that 3-1 away win at Montpellier? That's a proper result against a good side. At home, they're usually solid, winning two of their last three, keeping clean sheets against the likes of Saint Etienne, but they did come unstuck last time out. They score a respectable 1.33 per game at home and are tight at the back, conceding just 0.67 on average.

Now, Guingamp are a funny old side. They've won six of their last ten, but lost four. They can be brilliant one week and bang average the next. Their last outing was a 3-1 defeat at Montpellier, but just before that they pulled off a blinding 1-0 win at home against the league leaders, Estac Troyes. Their real strength? Playing away. They've won four of their last six on the road, smashing three past Nancy and scoring freely. They average a whopping 2.17 goals per game away from home, though they do tend to leak a goal too, conceding 1.17 on average.

When these two have met, it's been a proper scrap. Guingamp just edge it with four wins to Dunkerque's three, and the last meeting this season went the way of the visitors, 1-2. At Dunkerque's place, it's two wins apiece, so there's no real home fortress advantage here.

Key Points:

Table Tussle: 6th vs 7th, separated by a single point. Massive for the promotion picture.

Dunkerque's Dip: Two consecutive 1-0 losses have halted their momentum, but their home form prior was strong.

Guingamp's Jekyll & Hyde: Capable of beating the best (see: Estac Troyes) but also losing to mid-table sides. Their away form is their superpower.

Goals on the Menu? Dunkerque score at home, Guingamp score for fun on the road. Both have shown they can concede.

• Head-to-Head: Evenly matched historically, with Guingamp winning the reverse fixture this season.

So, what's the play? The match odds have Dunkerque as slight favourites, but Guingamp's away form makes the draw and away win tempting. For me, the value shout is in the goals market. Dunkerque will be desperate to bounce back in front of their own fans and get on the scoresheet. Guingamp, with their attacking away record, will fancy their chances too. I can see both nets bulging. The odds for Both Teams to Score - Yes are sitting at a nice 1.87, and with the way these two attack, I fancy that to land more often than not.

Summary: This has all the makings of an open, entertaining clash between two sides who need the points. Guingamp's potent away attack should test Dunkerque, but the hosts have enough quality to reply. I'm backing goals at both ends.