Ligue 1: Lille Set To Pile More Misery On Struggling Saint-Etienne?

Seeking their first points of the new Ligue 1 campaign, Saint-Etienne will host Lille on matchday four at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Friday. Les Verts are bottom of the table after suffering a 4-0 hammering versus Brest before the international break, while Les Dogues dropped to sixth when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) beat them 3-1 last time out.

It has been far from an ideal beginning to the Ligue 1 campaign for Saint-Etienne, who have yet to show they belong with the teams at this level after two seasons away from top-flight football. After three matchdays, Les Verts have yet to find the back of the net, something which had never happened to this club in Ligue 1 before this season. This is the second time in club history that they have begun a top-flight campaign with three successive defeats, with the first time being in 2009-10, narrowly avoiding relegation by finishing 17th on that occasion. Another defeat on Friday would mark the first time the former 10-time Ligue 1 champions begin this competition with four consecutive losses.

Olivier Dall'Oglio's men ended the previous Ligue 2 campaign on a seven-match unbeaten run at home, but dating back to their last stint in Ligue 1 (2021-22), this club have lost three straight encounters at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in this competition. In two of their previous three meetings with Lille, Saint-Etienne have kept them off the scoresheet, but they have not beaten Les Dogues in a top-flight fixture since a thumping victory on the final matchday of the 2017-18 campaign (5-0).

After weeks of smooth sailing at the beginning of the season, Lille have cooled off in Europe and Ligue 1 since late August. Bruno Genesio was unbeaten in his first five matches in charge across all competitions since the beginning of August, but his side enter this match having lost their previous two competitive fixtures. Their three goals conceded versus PSG are the only ones they have given up domestically this season and as many as they had allowed in their four previous top-flight encounters combined, dating back to the 2023-24 campaign. At the same time, only three points currently separate them from the league-leaders PSG, while they are just a single point behind Marseille and Nantes for an automatic place in the Champions League group stage next season.

Losing a Ligue 1 contest has been rare for this side, suffering just three defeats since March 2023, and losing consecutive matches in this competition is even rarer, something they have not done since matchday 35 and 36 in 2021-22. Les Nordistes have points in seven consecutive Ligue 1 affairs against Saint-Etienne, though their last victory at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard occurred in March 2019 (1-0).

Injuries And Suspensions

Several Saint-Etienne players may not be available on Friday with injuries, such as captain Anthony Briancon (knee), Yvann Macon (meniscus) and Thomas Monconduit (thigh). Despite previously sustaining a muscle injury, Ben Old got some playing time in the two friendlies for New Zealand during the international window, while Augustine Boakye is questionable with a muscle strain of his own. Aimen Moueffek is back training with the first team following a minor knock and saw the field in their previous encounter, coming on for Lamine Fomba in the second half against Brest.

Lille could be missing Samuel Umtiti due to a sore knee, Nabil Bentaleb is dealing with an illness and Ismaily has a meniscus injury. Jonathan David, their leading goalscorer over the past three Ligue 1 campaigns, was on international duty for Canada earlier this week but should be back in time for this match, while Angel Gomes featured in their previous encounter for the first time since his collision in their opener against Reims. Edon Zhegrova had the only goal for them in their defeat versus PSG last time out, his first of the 2024-25 domestic campaign.

Team News And Possible Lineups

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup: Larsonneur; Macon, Batubinsika, Abdelhamid, Cornud; Appiah, Amougou; Moueffek, Davitashvili, Tardieu; Wadji

Lille possible starting lineup: Chevalier; Diakite, Mandi, Alexsandro; Meunier, Andre, Gomes, Gudmundsson; Zhegrova, Cabella; David

Saint-Etienne Vs Lille: Match Preview And Prediction

Despite losing their previous encounter, there are a lot of encouraging things we have seen from Lille this season, whereas Saint-Etienne look unnerved at the back and without much creativity going forward. It was a mixed international window for Lille OSC. On the one hand, one of their key players, Angel Gomes, returns having earned his first caps for the England national team. He will likely return to LOSC high on confidence and ready for what is an important run of games before the next international break. Gomes is expected to start, amid something of an injury crisis at Lille. Whilst Gomes got some important game time at international level, two other internationals, Ngal’ayel Mukau and Hakon Haraldsson were injured while on duty with their respective national teams. The former is out for at least six weeks with a serious ankle sprain; the latter will miss two or three weeks of competition with a foot fracture. Ethan Mbappé, Ismaily, Samuel Umtiti and Nabil Bentaleb are all also absent, limiting Bruno Genesio’s choices against AS Saint-Étienne this evening.

Saint Etienne, once considered among the best teams in Ligue 1, have suffered a massive dip in form in the last few seasons. After gaining promotion from the second division, there was an expectation from the fans that this could be the season where they finally showcase their potential. However, Les Verts have found life difficult in the league. They are languishing in the bottom spot after three matches. They have conceded seven goals from these matches while also failing to score a single goal. On the other side, Lille have started the new season on a positive note, collecting two wins from the starting two matches. They did fall to a defeat in their last game against reigning champions PSG who secured a 3-1 victory over them. Bruno Genesio’s team will now be aiming to get back to winning ways in this match. Les Lillois have also made it to the UEFA Champions League league phase after beating Slavia Prague in the final playoffs. They will start their run in the competition against Portuguese giants Sporting CP in the opening match. The game is set to take place on 18 September at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Saint Etienne will miss the services of Ben Old for this match due to a muscle injury. He is joined on the sidelines by Anthony Briancon (knee injury) and Mahmoud Bentayg who are also ruled out of this match. Meanwhile, Lille will also be without their summer signing Ngal Ayel Mukau and Hakon Arnar Haraldsson after the pair were sidelined due to injuries. Also, the defensive duo of Samuel Umtiti and Ismaily misses out on this match. Elsewhere, It has been a good week for Angel Gomes as he made his senior debut for England in the UEFA Nations League.

Saint Etienne have found life hard thus far after securing a promotion to Ligue 1. The team suffered three consecutive losses to begin the season. They now find themselves against Lille who have looked impressive this campaign. Therefore, we expect the away team to secure the three points here. Prediction: Saint Etienne 0-2 Lille