Lille and Saint Etienne were two of the surprise-packages in Ligue One last season, finishing second and fourth respectively in the French top-flight table.
Arguably neither side has started the current campaign in a great fashion. The pair meet on Wednesday evening at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
The home side started their campaign with a 2-1 win over Nantes before a 1-0 defeat at Amiens last time out in the French top-flight. Meanwhile, the visitors kicked off their league campaign with a 2-1 win over Dijon and last time out a 1-1 draw against Brest on home soil.
❗️ No @Ligue1_ENG game for our boys this weekend. We go Wednesday against @ASSE_english at our @StadePM home. pic.twitter.com/4LBmGvAbo8— LOSC Lille EN (@LOSC_EN) August 25, 2019
❗️ No @Ligue1_ENG game for our boys this weekend. We go Wednesday against @ASSE_english at our @StadePM home. pic.twitter.com/4LBmGvAbo8
The visitors will certainly be happier with the start to the season than the home side. However, Lille will be confident of kick-starting their campaign with a win in this clash. Forebet also predicts that the home side will come out on top in a high scoring encounter.
The fact that the home side has lost two of their last three league matches is a concern. However, Christophe Galtier’s side does have a very strong recent home record in Ligue One, having won their last five matches on home soil.
Some prolific displays of firepower in front of goal were the key to that good run of form on home soil, as they have scored at least two goals in four of their last five home games in the French top-flight.
Saint-Etienne heads to Lille on the back of a four-game unbeaten run in the French top-flight, having recorded two wins and two draws.
Les Verts have a strong recent record on their travels in Ligue One, as they are unbeaten in six matches, having recorded four wins in the process. They have also scored at least two goals in five of those six unbeaten away games.
Saint Etienne may have made a marginally better start to the new league campaign, but it seems that home advantage may just be enough for Lille in this clash.