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Ligue 2 Playoff Preview: Dunkerque welcome Guingamp

With a sought-after place in the top flight on the line, the promotion playoffs in Ligue 2 BKT begin in earnest tomorrow as USL Dunkerque host EA Guingamp. Read on for our preview of the match
E. DEVIN
Published on 05/14/2025 at 00:30
3-minute read
Sylvain Ripoll's spell in charge of Guingamp has seen the Bretons reach the playoffs

With a sought-after place in the top flight on the line, the promotion playoffs in Ligue 2 BKT begin in earnest tomorrow as USL Dunkerque host EA Guingamp. Read on for our preview of the match.

An impressive cup run, and a first season in the top flight?

Dunkerque were founded in 1909, but have never played a season of top-flight football. Promoted to Ligue 2 in the COVID-19 shortened 2019/20 season, they were relegated again in 2021/22, but have impressed since returning to the second division a year later, playing a compact and intelligent brand of football under former Benfica reserves manager Luis Castro. Castro's tactical nous was on full display this season in the Coupe de France, as his side reach the semifinals of the competition, as well as finishing fourth in Ligue 2, allowing them to play this match at home.

After defeats of Auxerre, Nice and Lille in the cup, a home match against Guingamp should be easy work for the northern side, but as has been the case all season, but Castro is circumspect, saying, "If we look an opponent like Guingamp, who has played in Ligue 1 and in Europe, it's an incredible thing, as what they're doing is very far from playing in National." Finding a balance between respecting their opponent and getting a vital win will be key tomorrow evening.  

Ripoll looks for a return to Ligue 1

Led by former Lorient and France U-21 manager Sylvain Ripoll, EA Guingamp will be looking for a long-awaited return to Ligue 1 McDonald's, having qualified for the playoffs for the first time since their relegation thanks to a fifth-place finish. Playing the freewheeling football that Ripoll's previous sides also displayed. With one of the best attacks in Ligue 1, with Hugo Picard and Alpha Sissoko among the league's leaders in assists, Guingamp have played with aplomb, but will be worried about their defence, as no side in the top half conceded more goals this season. 

Ripoll will be glad to welcome the return of defensive midfielder Kalidou SidibĂ© from injury, and he also underscored that the team are not here merely to make up the numbers. Pre-match, he said, "We've had a good season, and being in the playoffs is validation of that, but now we want more."  There may also be a desire for a measure of revenge -- in the two teams' match last month, Dunkerque romped to a 3-1 win as Guingamp had a man sent off -- a result that allowed the northern side to pip the Bretons to fourth. 

Predicted lineups:

USL Dunkerque (4-3-3): Jaouen; Abner, Sasso, Sanganté, Georgen; Skytta, Raghouber, Bardelli; Rivera, Courtet, Yassine

EA Guingamp (4-4-2): Basilio; Sissoko, Gomis, Nair, Vallier; Ghrieb, Louisierre, Sidibé, Picard; Siwe, Hemia

Read more:

>> Club Profiles: Dunkerque look to cap fairytale season with promotion

>> Club Profiles: Can Guingamp return to the top flight after six years away?

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