Ligue 2 Mid-Table Clash: Annecy Hosts Clermont in Battle for Upper Half Positioning
On January 23, 2026, Annecy FC will host Clermont Foot at the Parc des Sports in a pivotal Ligue 2 encounter. This match is crucial for both teams, who are closely matched in the league standings, as they aim to consolidate or improve their positions, striving to distance themselves from the relegation zone and potentially climb towards the promotion play-off spots.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
This Ligue 2 BKT match sees Annecy FC facing Clermont Foot at home. For both teams, it's a crucial battle for league points. Clermont Foot 63 was relegated from Ligue 1 after the 2023-24 season and is looking to stabilize and potentially return to the top flight in the current 2025-26 Ligue 2 season. Annecy FC, meanwhile, continues to solidify its position in Ligue 2, aiming to stay clear of the relegation zone and potentially push towards the upper half of the table. Heading into this fixture, both teams are closely matched in the standings; Annecy is currently 10th after Matchday 19, with Clermont closely behind in 11th, both on 22 points, making the outcome of this game highly significant for their league trajectories. Ligue 2 features a promotion and relegation system, with teams at the bottom facing relegation to the Championnat National, while top teams can earn promotion to Ligue 1 or participate in promotion play-offs, making every victory vital.
Recent Form
Annecy has shown decent recent form, securing three wins and two losses in their last five official matches. They notably defeated Amiens SC 2-0 in Matchday 19 and Stade Reims 2-1 in Matchday 18, but suffered losses against Le Mans FC and Guingamp. Clermont, on the other hand, has been less consistent in their last five league outings, with one win, two draws, and two losses. This run includes a 0-1 away defeat to Saint-Étienne in Matchday 19 and a convincing 4-1 home victory over Stade Lavallois.
Key Players & Injury News
Key players for Annecy include experienced midfielders Ahmed Kashi and Vincent Pajot, alongside forwards Antoine Larose, Josué Tiendrébéogo, and Thibault Rambaud. Goalkeeper Florian Escales and midfielder Clément Billemaz also play crucial roles for the team. For Clermont, midfielder Johan Gastien and defender Yoann Salmier are vital to the squad, while Famara Diédhiou and Ilhan Fakili have provided key assists this season. As this match is in the future, specific up-to-date injury news is not yet available. Fans should monitor official team announcements closer to the match date for the latest information.