SAINT-PHILBERT-DE-GRAND-LIEU, France (Interstat) — USPF Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu hosts FC Challans on Saturday, May 9, in a National 3 matchup that carries playoff implications for both sides.

The game, scheduled for a 6 p.m. local kickoff, pits two clubs separated by five points in the French fifth-tier table. Challans sits sixth with 38 points from 25 matches, while Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu is 11th with 33 points. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-1 victory for the visitors.

Recent form favors Challans, which rallied to beat Les Sables FCOC Vendee 3-2 on April 25, its second win in three matches. Before that, Challans drew 0-0 with USSA Vertou U19 on April 18 and lost 2-0 at US Chauvigny on April 11. Over its last six matches, the team has gone 2-2-2, with wins over AS Panazol (3-0 on March 28) and Les Sables, plus draws with AS La Chataigneraie and Union Foot de Touraine.

Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, meanwhile, has struggled. It lost 2-0 at US Chauvigny on April 25, its third defeat in four games. The lone bright spot came April 18, a 1-0 victory at AS Panazol. Saint-Philbert has managed only two wins in its last 10 outings, with losses to La Chataigneraie, Vendee Poire-sur-Vie Football, Union Foot de Touraine and So Chatellerault, balanced by draws against Nantes U19 and Angers U19.

The teams know each other well. Their most recent meeting, on Jan. 17, ended 2-2 in Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu. That result extended a head-to-head trend of close contests. Challans has not lost to Saint-Philbert in their past two encounters, but Saint-Philbert won the previous matchup in December 2024.

Saint-Philbert will need to tighten its defense, which has conceded 15 goals in its last seven matches. Challans, by contrast, has been more resilient, allowing only eight goals over the same span while scoring 12.

The match is part of the 26th round of National 3 Group A. A win for Challans would solidify its push toward the top five. For Saint-Philbert, three points would provide breathing room above the relegation zone.

No injury reports were available by press time.