St Etienne-Auxerre

St Etienne is set to host Auxerre in an intriguing matchup. Historically, the hosts have had a slight edge in recent encounters, having triumphed in their last meeting with a narrow victory. St Etienne’s recent performances, however, reflect a turbulent run, with a mix of draws and losses, highlighting their defensive vulnerabilities, especially in their clash against Nice, where they conceded heavily. Yet, they have managed to secure wins, showcasing resilience at home.

Auxerre, meanwhile, comes into this fixture with a similarly inconsistent form. They recently secured a commanding win against Brest but have also faced significant defeats, indicating a possible struggle in maintaining consistency on the road. Auxerre’s attacking prowess was evident in their high-scoring game against Montpellier, demonstrating their potential to find the back of the net.

Given their recent head-to-head results, both teams are likely to score, with neither side showing a dominant defensive display in their latest outings. Expect a competitive match with goals from both teams, and the possibility of the total goals surpassing the 2.5 mark seems plausible. St Etienne, leveraging their home advantage, might have the upper hand in securing a win in this closely fought encounter.