Stade Rochelais vs Section Paloise Prediction: A crucial encounter for the two teams

Stade Marcel Deflandrea will host this France Top 14 encounter between Stade Rochelais and Section Paloise. The two teams are separated with just one point in the standings. Which team takes the last playoff spots? 

Stade Rochelais ended on the losing end the previous weekend against Bordeaux Begles, losing 34-14 in that encounter. In the meantime, that defeat was Stade Rochelais’ third in their last five games, with two others being a 40-13 loss to Leinster and a 25-24 close loss to Castres Olympique. However, Stade Rochelais secured victories over Stormers and RC Toulonnais in other games in that run. Stade Rochelais have accumulated 56 points this season from 23 games, positioning them 6th in the standings.

Section Paloise stepped up to the test last weekend against bottom-placed US Oyonnax, and this side enjoyed a 39-17 win. In that encounter, they had a convincing 19-10 win at the end of halftime, but a 20-7 win in the second half was good enough to cement this side’s win in that game. Heading into this game, Section Paloise are seated in the 7th spot in the standings with 55 points from 23 matches, leaving them one point adrift in the playoff spot. 

The two teams are expected to bring their A-game here and play resiliently on both ends of the field. While a spot for the playoff is on the line here, I am backing Stade Rochelais to get the job done as home favorites in a game that should end in high points.