Preview: Pau vs. Caen - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, have already assured their position within the play-off spots regardless of their result on the final day of the regular season.

Match preview

Despite only being formed in 1995, Pau have enjoyed a steady rise through the French footballing pyramid, with Didier Tholot stabilising them as a solid Ligue 2 outfit in recent seasons.

The 59-year-old, who enjoyed two previous spells with Swiss side Sion earlier in his managerial career, is on the brink of helping Les Maynats avoid relegation for the third consecutive campaign since their promotion from the third tier in 2020.

Indeed, a crucial 3-2 victory away to relegation rivals Rodez last weekend helped Pau leapfrog their opponents in the table and move two points clear of Dijon - who occupy the relegation play-off spot heading into the final matchday - in the process.

As such, Pau are one of six teams aiming to avoid dropping to third-bottom at the end of the season, with Tholot's side requiring a victory against Caen to be certain of achieving that due to their weak goal difference.

Although Caen find themselves considerably clear of Pau in Ligue 2's table, Pau may not be too disappointed to be facing them given that Stephane Moulin's side have little to play for in their last match of the regular campaign.

Les Vikings are guaranteed to finish fourth or fifth regardless of their result on Friday, meaning they will face Bastia for a chance to take on Bordeaux in the play-off final, as they fight to return to Ligue 1 for the first time since their relegation in 2019.

However, former Angers boss Moulin will want his players to head into their forthcoming meeting with Bastia in excellent shape, having fought hard to come from two goals behind and claim a point in their last match against St Etienne.

Following a potentially ominous 1-0 defeat to Bordeaux, Caen had won two successive matches by two clear goals, suggesting they could ramp up the pressure by beating Pau on Friday, which would force their opponents into looking nervously over their shoulders.

Pau Ligue 2 form:

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L

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D

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W

Caen Ligue 2 form:

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D

Team News

Pau will remain without Jean Lambert Evans due to a long-term ACL injury, while Antoine Batisse is suspended having been sent off after coming off the bench against Rodez.

After claiming a crucial victory in that match, Tholot is unlikely to make any changes to his starting XI, with Yanis Begraoui and Mayron George set to combine in attack after both scoring last time out.

Caen, meanwhile, may reward Samuel Essende with a starting berth after the forward came off the bench to score a dramatic late equaliser against St Etienne last weekend.

Whether Moulin opts to make changes en masse or stick with a more familiar side remains to be seen, but the latter is more likely with his team still hoping to pip Bastia to fourth place.

Pau possible starting lineup:

Ndiaye; Sow, Kouassi, Ruiz; Koffi, Beusnard, D'Almeida, Abzi; Saivet, George, Begraoui

Caen possible starting lineup:

Mandrea; Vandermersch, Ntim, Thomas, Abdi; Daubin, Saletros; Court, Brahimi, Essende; Mendy

We say: Pau 1-3 Caen

Although Pau will be fighting to avoid relegation, there is a clear gulf in quality between these two sides and we expect Caen to build momentum ahead of the play-offs by securing a third victory in four matches.

Moulin and his players will sense an excellent opportunity to return to France's top tier this season, and they will not be interested in handing out any favours to their opponents.

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