Auxerre host Le Mans at the Stade de l'Abbé Deschamps on Sunday, October 25, in a Ligue 1 match between two sides with contrasting recent results. Auxerre sit 12th after winning three of their last four league games, while 16th-placed Le Mans arrive following consecutive defeats. The visitors have scored regularly despite their difficult start, however, and both teams have found the net in six of each club's first seven league matches. That record gives this Auxerre vs Le Mans preview a clear question: can the hosts turn their improved form into another win without conceding?

Auxerre's Recent Form and Key Stats

Auxerre lost their first three Ligue 1 fixtures against Lens, Angers and Lyon, but their results have since improved under Will Still. Wins over Nice, Brest and Le Havre came in a four-match stretch interrupted by a 4-1 defeat to Rennes. The latest success was a 3-1 away victory over Le Havre on October 18, a result that helped Auxerre reach 12th place.

Auxerre have a league record of three wins and four defeats, averaging 1.6 goals scored and 2.4 conceded per match. Their attacking consistency extends beyond this season: they have scored at least once in each of their last 12 Ligue 1 matches. There has also been at least one second-half goal in each of their last 12 league games, although that statistic refers to goals by either side. Those figures underline why Auxerre's stronger results have not removed the possibility of goals at both ends.

Danny Namaso played a decisive role against Le Havre, recording two goals and an assist. Cameron Archer has scored four times in five appearances for Auxerre, though he did not score in their most recent league match. At the other end, Paul Nardi made a series of saves against Le Havre. Auxerre will be without Bryan Okoh, Sékou Fofana, Assane Dioussé and Rémy Labeau-Lascary for this fixture.

Le Mans' Recent Form and Key Stats

Le Mans returned to Ligue 1 after their promotion from Ligue 2 and have taken one win from their first seven matches. They drew with Brest, Nice and Lens during their opening four fixtures before beating Lorient 2-1. Patrick Videira's side could not build on that victory: defeats to PSG and Toulouse followed, with the latter a 3-0 home loss on October 16.

The visitors' league record stands at one win, three draws and three defeats. They average 1.4 goals scored and 2.1 conceded per match, and they have yet to keep a clean sheet this season. Le Mans have also lost three of their last five matches, conceding an average of 2.2 goals across that period. Their ability to stay competitive early in games offers a contrast: they have avoided trailing at half-time in 27 of their last 30 matches.

Louis Mafouta has scored four league goals and provides Le Mans with a proven source of goals in this campaign. Goalkeeper Nicolas Kocik will be looking for a first clean sheet of the season, with Samuel Yohou among the defensive players mentioned ahead of the trip. Adil Bourabaa remains injured, while the availability of Martin Rossignol, Raúl Torrente, Harold Voyer and Erwan Colas is uncertain.

Auxerre vs Le Mans Match Analysis

Recent results favour Auxerre, who have won three of their last four league outings, while Le Mans have lost two in succession. The hosts' 3-1 win at Le Havre showed their ability to produce goals away from home, and Le Mans' defensive record gives them another opportunity to create chances. Auxerre have conceded an average of 2.4 goals per league match themselves, though, so their improved form does not necessarily point to a one-sided contest.

The case for goals at both ends is supported by the teams' early-season records: both teams scored in six of Auxerre's first seven league matches and six of Le Mans' first seven. Le Mans' defeat to Toulouse was an exception to that pattern, but Mafouta's four league goals show the visitors have an attacking threat. Their strong half-time record also suggests Auxerre cannot rely on recent form alone to settle the match quickly.

Auxerre have the stronger recent run and home advantage, while Le Mans need a response after back-to-back losses. With neither side having kept goals out consistently, whether the visitors can score may be just as important to this match as Auxerre's chances of extending their winning run.

Auxerre vs Le Mans prediction from BetMines: Both Teams To Score (Yes) with 56% probability.