Paris (AFP)

Troyes, a solid leader but followed by Toulouse, moves to Clermont on Tuesday for the shock at the top of the 23rd day of Ligue 2 football, with the possibility of putting a rival at bay for the climb.

In the lead since the 18th day, Laurent Batlles' team confirmed its high ambitions on Saturday by dominating Auxerre (3-1), another candidate for accession to Ligue 1.

Toulouse did the same by overcoming Clermont (3-2) and will make a delicate trip to Auxerre where the Burgundians, fifth at 4 lengths from the podium, do not have the right to make mistakes if they want to stay hooked to the lead car.

Troyes and Toulouse are going through an excellent period in the league: 12 invincibility matches for the Hauts-Garonnais (9 wins and 3 draws) and five consecutive matches without defeat for the Aubois (4 wins and a draw).

Les Troyens have not known L1 since the 2018-2019 season and occupied 4th position last season when competition was interrupted due to the new coronavirus pandemic.

A success on Tuesday in Clermont-Ferrand against the ambitious team led by Pascal Gastien, now owned by Swiss financier Ahmet Schaefer, would allow them to widen the gap and get closer to the climb goal.

During the 5th day, ESTAC had dominated Clermont Foot 1 to 0.

But at two points, Toulouse, is in full success.

His Dutch midfielder Branco van den Boomen, who scored twice against Clermont, will remember that it was precisely against Auxerre, on the 5th day, that he scored his first goal in L2, during the first victory. des Violets (3-1) since October 2019.

At the bottom of the table, Châteauroux, red lantern, will already shoot down a decisive card by receiving Chambly, 15th, who remains on a promising victory (4-2) Saturday at home against Caen.

Pau FC of Didier Tholot, 19th but who kept reason to hope by winning at Guingamp (3-2), will have to confirm against Amiens while Nancy, 18th, moves to Le Havre, 13th.

Guingamp, 17th, with only one point ahead of the place of barrage, visits Grenoble, 4th and who must win to continue to join in the fight for accession.

The program for the 23rd day of Ligue 2:

Tuesday February 2:

(8:00 p.m.) Auxerre - Toulouse

Caen - Valenciennes

Chateauroux - Chambly

Dunkirk - Rodez

Le Havre - Nancy

Paris FC - Niort

Pau - Amiens

Sochaux - AC Ajaccio

Grenoble - Guingamp

Clermont - Troyes

© 2021 AFP