Saint-Étienne has opened the 2026/27 Ligue 2 campaign with a perfect record, winning its first three matches while scoring freely and keeping a clean sheet in key fixtures. Several recently relegated sides—Reims, Montpellier, Nantes, and Metz—enter with superior squad depth, budgets, and Ligue 1 experience compared to most of the division, positioning them as the primary promotion contenders for the two automatic spots and playoff places. Nantes has struggled early despite its resources, while mid-table sides like Rodez and Annecy show competitive early form. The 34-match schedule rewards consistency, with head-to-head results, injury management, and late-season momentum likely to decide which teams secure promotion to Ligue 1.