St Etienne vs Lille Predictions

St Etienne vs Lille predictions for this Friday’s Ligue 1 fixture. Saint-Etienne host Lille at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Friday, aiming for their first points of the new Ligue 1 campaign on matchday four. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

La Liga | Sep 13, 2024 at 7:45pm UK at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

St Etienne vs Lille Predictions

Will Lille’s Dominance Continue or Can Saint-Etienne Break Their Drought?

• Lille’s Attack vs Saint-Etienne’s Defence: Lille have averaged 13.7 shots per game this season, with 5.3 of those on target. Saint-Etienne, however, have conceded an average of 2.3 goals per game and allowed 12 shots per match, suggesting Lille could dominate the offensive play and keep Saint-Etienne under pressure throughout the game.
• Saint-Etienne’s Goal Drought: Saint-Etienne have failed to score a single goal in their first three games of the season, with their total shots on target averaging just three per game. Facing a Lille side that has already kept two clean sheets, the odds of Saint-Etienne finding the net remain slim.
• Lille’s Corner Threat: Lille have averaged 4.7 corners per match so far in the Ligue 1 campaign. With their sustained pressure and wing play, especially from players like Zhegrova, they are likely to win plenty of corners against a Saint-Etienne side that has been forced to defend deep.

Best Bet

The upcoming Ligue 1 fixture between Saint-Etienne and Lille promises to be a critical one, especially for the home side. Set at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne are desperate to pick up their first points of the season. Having failed to score a single goal across their opening three matches, and conceding seven, their return to top-flight football has been far from ideal. In stark contrast, Lille come into the match after a solid start, despite a recent defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. Bruno Genesio’s side will look to rebound and solidify their standing in the upper echelons of the table. This contest offers a crucial opportunity for both teams, albeit for very different reasons.

While Saint-Etienne seek to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat—something they have never experienced before at the beginning of a Ligue 1 season—Lille will aim to bounce back and close the gap on the leaders. Lille’s resilience this season, particularly in defence, has been notable. Having conceded just three goals before their loss to PSG, they have proven to be difficult to break down. Saint-Etienne, on the other hand, will need to find some much-needed attacking creativity if they are to cause any real threat to a Lille side that has looked well-organised throughout the campaign.

Backing Lille to win with a -1 handicap appears to be the safest and most promising bet for this match. The rationale behind this selection stems from the vast difference in form and quality between the two teams, which has been evident through their performances in the early stages of the season.

Lille have demonstrated a more solid approach to their matches, conceding just three goals in their first three fixtures, with one of those games coming against PSG—a team that remains a formidable force in French football. Saint-Etienne, in stark contrast, have yet to find the net this season, highlighting their struggles in the attacking third. They have been woeful in front of goal, averaging just three shots on target per game, a number that suggests they are unlikely to trouble a Lille defence that has been generally sturdy.

Moreover, Lille have proven capable of controlling matches, as seen in their average possession of 58.7%. They not only dominate the ball but create numerous opportunities in the final third, with 5.3 shots on target per game. This is crucial when facing a Saint-Etienne side that has conceded seven goals and made numerous defensive errors. Saint-Etienne’s lack of defensive organisation, compounded by individual mistakes, plays right into Lille’s hands. Even when Lille lost to PSG, they still managed to create chances, further emphasising their attacking threat.

Lille’s balanced squad, with Jonathan David leading the line, presents enough firepower to see off a Saint-Etienne defence that has been anything but solid. David’s return from international duty gives Lille a further boost. On top of this, the likelihood of Saint-Etienne scoring is minimal, considering their poor start to the season and Lille’s resolute backline. Thus, the -1 handicap seems not only achievable but a prudent choice for punters.

BettingTips4You.com expert Emmanuel Nwankwo sums it up: “Given Saint-Etienne’s defensive frailties and Lille’s quality going forward, a handicap victory for Lille feels like the most sensible option here.* Lille are stronger on both ends of the pitch**, and Saint-Etienne’s lack of confidence is clear for all to see.”*

`Additional Prediction

A secondary prediction that looks favourable for this game is for Lille to have over 4.5 corners. This bet aligns with Lille’s attacking style and dominance in matches, especially against weaker opposition like Saint-Etienne.

Lille average 4.7 corners per game in Ligue 1 so far this season, a statistic that suggests they often sustain pressure on their opponents. With Saint-Etienne likely to sit deep and try to absorb pressure, Lille should have plenty of chances to win corners through their wing play and attacking combinations. Edon Zhegrova, who scored Lille’s only goal against PSG, alongside Jonathan David, offers significant width and speed, making it difficult for Saint-Etienne to keep them at bay.

Given Saint-Etienne’s defensive issues, particularly with their positioning, it’s likely that Lille will force plenty of corners. Saint-Etienne have conceded 2.7 corners per game, and given their fragility, Lille are well-positioned to exploit this area. Therefore, backing Lille to surpass 4.5 corners provides good value, considering the flow of the game is likely to be dominated by Lille’s attacking possession.

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