Le Mans FC is preparing for a pivotal clash against Reims on the penultimate day of Ligue 2 this Saturday evening. This match, to be held at Stade Marie-Marvingt, is decisive for promotion to Ligue 1, with the Manceaux currently second in the standings, just ahead of AS Saint-Etienne, who are in great danger.

AS Saint-Etienne, in third place, saw their season's end take a difficult turn with two consecutive defeats against SC Bastia (2-0) then Estac (0-3) at Geoffroy-Guichard. The Trojan leader thus secured their promotion to the elite. Philipe Montanier's team is now one point behind Le Mans FC, a position that would force them to play a playoff against the winner of the match between 4th and 5th, before challenging the 16th in Ligue 1, currently AJ Auxerre, for a spot in the top flight. AS Saint-Etienne goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur confided that the result of the last matchday was "hard for everyone."

Saint-Etienne's trip to Rodez promises to be extremely perilous this Saturday at 8 p.m., live on beIN Sports. The Aveyronnais, in sixth place, are capable of overtaking ASSE and Red Star from Stade de Reims. Meanwhile, Le Mans FC and Reims will face each other in the other crucial meeting of the evening. Red Star also has a chance to challenge the last-placed team, Amiens.

The Greens will have to face this match without their most decisive player of the season, Zuriko Davitashvili. The Georgian winger is suffering from a sprained ankle and will be unable to return for the match in Rodez. He has 13 goals and 4 assists in 28 matches this season, following his 9 goals and 8 assists in Ligue 1 last season. His participation in the final home game against Amiens at Geoffroy-Guichard remains uncertain.

In addition to Davitashvili's absence, Philipe Montanier's team faces other squad issues. While Julien Le Cardinal should be operational, Chico Lamba suffered a stress fracture and Aïmen Moueffek took a big blow to the calf. Montanier explained in a press conference: "Unfortunately, there is no common denominator to explain these injuries which are obviously debilitating, but we will have to find the virtues to overcome these obstacles!"