Lille vs St Etienne prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-01-31 20:05.
[p]Lille have had a sticky start to 2025, but they will hope that is now behind them after registering a club-record win in European football. The Mastiffs’ 6-1 UEFA Champions League thrashing of Feyenoord on Wednesday was not only their biggest ever in continental competition, but also improved on a frustrating streak of just one victory over 90 minutes in six attempts this year (D3, L2).[/p]
[p]Such a run contributes to Bruno Génésio’s side having slipped out of the top four in Ligue 1, despite losing only one of their last 15 top-flight matches (W6, D8). That dip in form can at least partly be attributed to a frequent inability to see games out, as Lille have now conceded a joint-high eight equalisers in the division this season heading into the weekend, while they have worryingly kept just two clean sheets across their last 13 fixtures in all competitions.[/p]
[p]Looking to exploit that record are opponents Saint-Étienne, who, after a 1-0 win in the reverse victory in September, are attempting to complete a league double over their opponents for the first time since 1998/99. To end that miserable record though, the visitors here will have to end a run of 17 away games in Ligue 1 without success, stretching back to February 2022 (D5, L12). [/p]
[p]Despite that unwanted streak, the club’s form has certainly improved since Eirik Horneland was appointed manager during the winter break. The Greens have edged out of the bottom three after losing just once so far under their new boss (W1, D2), and although they are yet to keep a clean sheet under the Norwegian, they have scored in four successive fixtures for the first time this season, while their six goals during that period accounts for one-third of their top-flight total in 2024/25 to date. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lille’s Osame Sahraoui has scored in back-to-back games for the first time since last February, while the last seven matches in which he has netted have seen both teams score. With three strikes in his last four appearances, Augustine Boakye will be on the prowl for Saint-Étienne, while his last seven goals have all come after half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ahead of this round, Saint-Étienne have conceded a league-high six goals in the opening 15 minutes of away games this season, while failing to net themselves during that period.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]