AP Sports Preview

PERONNAS, France (Interstat) — B-e-B Peronnas hosts Valenciennes on Saturday in a National 1 clash at Stade Municipal, with both teams seeking momentum in the French third division.

Valenciennes enters the match coming off a 1-1 draw at home against FC Sochaux-Montbeliard on May 2. The result broke a three-match losing streak for the visitors, who had fallen to Dijon 1-0, Fleury 91 2-0 and FC Versailles 78 2-1 in previous outings. Valenciennes’ form over the past two months has been uneven, with wins against Concarneau and VF Beaujolais bookended by losses to Rouen and draws with Aubagne and Paris 13 Atletico.

B-e-B Peronnas, meanwhile, won its most recent match 1-0 at home against VF Beaujolais on May 2. That victory halted a two-game skid for the hosts, who had lost 2-1 at FC Sochaux-Montbeliard and 2-0 at home against Caen earlier in April. B-e-B Peronnas has struggled for consistency this season, dropping matches to Dijon, Fleury 91 and Orleans while managing wins against Paris 13 Atletico and Rouen.

The two sides met most recently on Jan. 16, when Valenciennes defeated B-e-B Peronnas 3-1 at home. That result gave Valenciennes a measure of confidence heading into Saturday’s rematch.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw, reflecting the closely matched nature of the two teams’ recent performances. Both sides have shown defensive vulnerabilities, though B-e-B Peronnas’ home form has been slightly better than its road results.

Valenciennes will look to build on its draw with Sochaux and avoid slipping further down the table. The visitors face Berrich Chateauroux at home on May 15 in their next fixture.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.