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Saint-Etienne
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 7
Oct 18, 2020 at 4pm UK
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
Nice

St Etienne
1 - 3
Nice

Aouchiche (57')
Moukoudi (72'), Hamouma (90+3')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Lees-Melou (8'), Gouiri (30'), Maolida (90+1')
Kamara (49'), Nsoki (58'), Daniel Benitez (67'), Lotomba (68'), Bambu (73')

Preview: Saint-Etienne vs. Nice - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 match between Saint-Etienne and Nice, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Nice travel to Saint-Etienne on Sunday with both sides level on 10 points after six games in the 2020-21 Ligue 1 table.

Despite both sides currently sitting in a top-half position, neither side have been in good form at all of late, with Nice's 2-1 win against Nantes prior to the international break the only win between the two sides in the last three matchdays.


Match preview

Paris Saint-Germain and Saint-Etienne players fight in the Coupe de France final on July 24, 2020© Reuters

Indeed, after a brilliant start which saw St-Etienne win their first three matches without conceding a goal, a 2-2 draw at Nantes was followed up by two losses without scoring in either defeat heading into the international break.

Former Southampton and Leicester City manager Claude Puel has plenty to ponder ahead of Nice's arrival, then, but may be buoyed by the fact he oversaw a convincing 4-1 victory in this fixture last season.

Romain Hamouma has at least been in excellent form for Les Verts, scoring three goals in the opening weeks of the campaign. Puel must work out how he can get the 33-year-old and the rest of his teammates combining to great effect once more.

He must also ensure his side improve their discipline after Timothee Kolodziejczak and Wahbi Khazri both picked up red cards in the 2-0 defeat at Lens.

Patrick Vieira pictured in charge of Nice in May 2019© Reuters

One man who was certainly no stranger to a red card in his playing days was Nice manager Patrick Vieira, who saw his team on the right side of one during the 2-1 win over Nantes after his side's opponents lost a man in only the third minute.

Khephren Thuram's 62nd-minute strike was enough to secure a nervy three points for the hosts as the plucky 10-man visitors battled hard in their ultimately unsuccessful attempts to earn themselves something from the game.

It was certainly much needed respite for the former France and Arsenal midfielder after failing to win the previous three matches. He will be hoping his side can build on the momentum gained from that victory against a side short in confidence and player availability on Sunday.

Having been fifth in the table when last season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Vieira secured European football for Les Aiglons for only the fourth time this century.

Vieira may have Thursday's testing trip to Bayer Leverkusen in the back of his mind heading into this trip, but with a four-day gap between the two matches there is sufficient time to aid rest and recovery ahead of that fixture.

Saint-Etienne Ligue 1 form: WWWDLL

Nice Ligue 1 form: WWLLDW


Team News

Claude Puel in charge of Saint-Etienne on October 6, 2019© Reuters

Puel will be without Kolodziejczak and Khazri through suspension after their straight red cards against Lens.

Yvann Macon sustained a cruciate ligament injury in that match and is unlikely to play again this season, while Mathieu Debuchy and Charles Abi are likely to be remain absent through injury having been out in recent weeks.

Vieira can count himself more fortunate on the availability front, with only Youcef Atal and Alexis Claude-Maurice injured for the trip to the Geoffroy Stadium. Both players are expected to be back by the end of October.

Denmark international Kasper Dolberg will be hoping his form improves soon having failed to score since his brace in the 2-0 win at Strasbourg on matchday two in August.

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Moulin; Sissoko, Moukoudi, Restos, Silva; Hamouma, Neyou, Camara, Aouchiche, Rivera; Bouanga

Nice possible starting lineup:
Benitez; Lotomba, Pelmard, Dante, Kamara; Maolida, Thuram, Lopes, Lees-Melou, Gouiri; Dolberg


SM words green background

We say: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Nice

Given the recent losses and amount of absentees St-Etienne must overcome, we cannot see a repeat of last season's 4-1 drubbing of Nice for Puel's side on Sunday.

In fact, with both sides struggling to create many chances in recent matches, it would not particularly surprise us if a bore draw ensues with both sides prioritising avoiding defeat above going all out for the win.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data

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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Saint-Etienne win with a probability of 45.94%. A win for Nice had a probability of 27.37% and a draw had a probability of 26.7%.

The most likely scoreline for a Saint-Etienne win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.24%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (8.96%) and 2-0 (8.69%). The likeliest Nice win was 0-1 (8.89%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.62%). The actual scoreline of 1-3 was predicted with a 2.2% likelihood.


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Patrick Vieira pictured in charge of Nice in May 2019
Read Next:
Saturday's Ligue 1 predictions including Nice vs. Nantes
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Auxerre291510453282555
2Angers29155942321050
3Saint-EtienneSt Etienne29146936231348
4Laval2913973529648
5Rodez AFRodez AF29111084740743
6GuingampGuingamp2911993731642
7Paris FCParis FC2911993430442
8Caen29126113937242
9AmiensAmiens29101272627-142
10Grenoble29101093633340
11PauPau29101094242040
12Ajaccio29108112833-538
13Bordeaux29108113237-537
14DunkerqueDunkerque29107122940-1137
15Troyes29811103336-335
16Bastia2997132937-833
17Concarneau2996143040-1033
18Annecy2979133340-730
19Quevilly29513113538-328
20Valenciennes29211161740-2317


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