St Etienne vs Amiens Predictions

Saint-Étienne drew 1-1 with Ukrainian side FC Oleksandriya in midweek as they continued their disappointing Europa League campaign. Brazilian left-back Gabriel Silva made his first appearance of the season and scored for both sides as he put a goal in his own net to cancel out his opener just a few minutes before. Sainte-Étienne dominated the game with possession and chances but just couldn’t find the breakthrough against a pretty poor team like Oleksandriya. 

Claude Puel has enjoyed an unbeaten start to life at Sainté but it hasn’t all been clear sailing as he required late, late goals in both his side’s wins against Lyon and Bordeaux. This lack of goal threat was evident against Oleksandriya and shows there is still work to be done. In their last two Ligue 1 matches they have racked up the sixth worst xG numbers of French teams in that time and scored twice, one being a penalty. In that same time they have been rather imperious at the back though with the fifth best xGA numbers of Ligue 1 sides. We think it could be a low-scoring affair in this match against Amiens. 

Amiens have been in a good vein of form recently as they have lost just one of their last six matches. Luka Elsner’s men have been attacking well and have scored ten goals in their last six games. In that time they have created the fourth most chances of any team in Ligue 1 and they’ll be looking to keep that up against a defensive Saint-Étienne side. Amiens’ attacking success in recent weeks has really been hampered by their defence though as they have conceded nine goals in their last six games.

Amiens have done very well against much better teams than them in the last few weeks as they have come away with points against the likes of Lyon (2-2), Angers (1-1) and Marseille (3-1). The team really has a great atmosphere about it at the moment and with two draws and a win in their last three away games, they should fancy themselves here for this trip to the Rhône Valley.  

We’re backing a very tight game here as a good attack comes up against a solid defence. Amiens have been in great form and will be looking to continue that in Sainte-Étienne but with the hosts looking very solid despite their lack of goal threat, we aren’t backing the Unicorns to win this one. We’re predicting a draw as Amiens have tied their last two away games and also because each of the last three clashes between these sides have finished level. Both teams scored in two of these though so we’re backing it to end 1-1. Sainte-Étienne do look solid at the back but Amiens have scored in nine of their ten league matches this season so we’re expecting them to get on the score-sheet. We’re also backing this match to feature under 2.5 goals as this market has won in each of Sainté’s last six games and in two of Amiens’ last three.