The Normans seem to be heading quickly towards Ligue 1 (only the first two will be promoted) with their provisional record of nine wins, five draws and only one defeat, in Valenciennes (1-0) during the second day.
The HAC, the best attack in the championship (24 goals) with Sochaux and Metz, already has a four-point lead over Bordeaux, which remains under threat from its immediate pursuers Sochaux (3rd at 1 pt) and Grenoble (4th at 2 points).
The last defeat of the Girondins in the league dates back to November 5 in Nîmes (1-0), a team yet struggling to maintain (16th, 15 pts).
For its part, Sochaux will host another poorly ranked Rodez (18th) and Grenoble will play on the ground of Quevilly-Rouen (13th).
Saint-Etienne, beaten at home by Rodez (2-0) on the last day, will try to restore some hope in Annecy (15th), but the maintenance operation seems to be in bad shape on the side of Forez.
The Greens, relegated at the end of last season and hit with a three-point penalty before the start of the current championship, are twentieth and last, one point behind Niort (19th).
The Chamois will make a perilous trip to Metz (8th), which is still seven points behind Bordeaux, and eleven on Le Havre.
Program of the 16th day of Ligue 2:
Monday, December 26
(5:00 p.m.) Annecy - Saint-Etienne
(7:05 p.m.) Le Havre - Bordeaux
(21h00) Dijon - Laval
SC Bastia - Caen
Nimes - Guingamp
Metz - Niort
Pau - Paris FC
Valenciennes - Amiens
Quevilly-Rouen - Grenoble
Sochaux - Rodez
./bds/bvo
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