This evening, Stade Niçois will host Aubenas at 8:45 PM in the opening of the 16th day of the fédérale 1, for a highly promising clash. Ranked 3rd and 2nd respectively, this is already a match with the feel of the finals, taking place at the Arboras stadium.
On one side, a team on a seven-game winning streak. On the other, a formation that has secured 8 victories in the last 9 games. Highly confident, Stade Niçois and Aubenas meet this Friday on Azurean ground for a decisive match in the race for 2nd place.
Although the Ardèche team currently leads the standings and won the first-leg match (20-9), it’s the Niçois who will be slight favorites in front of their home crowd. The locals will mainly rely on their current winning streak which began on November 16th. Notably, their impressive performances against Bourg en Bresse, Bourgoin, or Narbonne stand out.
Moreover, in terms of points, these victories make the Azurean club a very serious contender for the 2nd qualifying spot in the promotion finals.
For Aubenas, this encounter is equally decisive for the remainder of the season. Before facing Bourg en Bresse next week, and then Bourgoin in 15 days, this match in Nice marks a pivotal block for qualification. With a 4-point lead over their two pursuers (Narbonne and Stade Niçois), they can make an impact and push back a direct competitor during this 16th day.
In such a closely contested match that could be decided by fine margins, both teams will need to make the fewest mistakes, be realistic, and disciplined to secure a win.
