Rodez AF vs Paris FC: Ligue 2 Playoff Showdown for a Shot at the Top Flight

 As the semi-finals of the Ligue 2 playoffs get closer, Rodez AF and Paris FC are getting ready to face each other on Tuesday night. The winner of this match will have a chance to be promoted to Ligue 1. The team that wins will then play against Saint-Etienne in the playoff final. The final winner will play against the 16th-placed Ligue 1 team in a two-game match to decide who will play in Ligue 1 for the 2024-25 season.

Auxerre and Angers have already secured spots in Ligue 1, but Rodez AF and Paris FC still need to win a match to reach their goal of being promoted to Ligue 1. The winner of Tuesday's match will have a short break before facing Saint-Etienne in the promotion final. After that, they will play a two-legged playoff against the 16th-placed Ligue 1 team, which is likely to be Metz, to decide if they will be promoted.

For Rodez, getting to Ligue 1 would be a big deal. They haven't finished higher than 15th since moving up from the third tier in the 2018-19 season. But this season, under Didier Santini's leadership, they did well and ended up in fourth place with 60 points. Even though they had trouble on defense, letting in the most goals among the top nine teams, Rodez has still done a great job. Their 2-0 win over AC Ajaccio in the last game secured their spot in the playoffs.

Paris FC also wants to get back to Ligue 1 after not being there since the 1978-79 season. They used to be connected with Paris Saint-Germain but now want to be successful on their own. Stephane Gilli's team finished just one point behind Rodez and has been doing well in the top half of the table for the past four seasons. A strong run of 11 games without losing earlier this year helped them get into the playoffs, even though they only won two of their last regular season matches.

Rodez AF: Defensive injuries include goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau (knee) and center-backs Eric Vandenabeele (broken leg) and Joris Chougrani (knee). First-choice goalkeeper Sebastien Cibois has recovered, but Coach Santini must decide between him and youngster Ewen Jaouen. Winger Lucas Buades is sidelined with a foot problem. Strikers Andreas Hountondji and Killian Corredor, with 26 goals combined, will be key for Rodez's attack.

Paris FC: is dealing with fitness issues, especially in attack. They will be without Lamine Gueye and Pierre-Yves Hamel, while Ilan Kebbal is expected to miss out with a sprained ankle. Although Kebbal's absence will be significant, Alimami Gory can step in effectively. Sofiane Alakouch is out long-term with a cruciate ligament injury, and Cyril Mandouki's status is also a concern.

Missing their top scorer and playmaker, Paris FC faces an uphill battle. Rodez's formidable home form and the attacking duo of Corredor and Hountondji should give them the edge. A narrow victory for Rodez sets up a tantalizing clash with Saint-Etienne