St Etienne vs Lyon prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-04-19 18:45.
[p]The stage is set for the 125th competitive Derby Rhône-Alpes between Saint-Étienne and Lyon (Saint-Étienne: W43, D34, L47) with a keen contest expected despite the protagonists being at opposite ends of the Ligue 1 table. While the hosts are fighting desperately to stay in the French top flight, Lyon are challenging to qualify for Europe, but it’s a clean slate for managers Eirik Horneland and Paulo Fonseca who are both preparing for their first experience of this derby.[/p]
[p]Things are looking bleak for Les Verts, as they’ve never collected fewer points after 29 Ligue 1 fixtures (24) in the three points per win era. They ended the last matchday three points adrift of the relative safety of 16th place after drawing 3-3 with Brest, and with that result stretching their winless run to three league games (D1, L2), even a return home to host their fierce rivals perhaps isn’t timely since they’ve not won here since early January (D3, L3).[/p]
[p]Lyon have dominated recent encounters, winning five of the last six H2Hs (D1) and achieving the last three of those victories without conceding. After triumphing in five of their last six league games (L1), UEFA Champions League qualification is still a realistic target although they can now only get there via the league route following their dramatic midweek UEFA Europa League quarter-final extra-time exit at the hands of Manchester United (L 7-6 on aggregate).[/p]
[p]Hoping to swiftly put Thursday’s disappointing trip to England behind them, they may still head to Stade Geoffroy-Guichard with some confidence after winning three of their last four away league games (L1). They’ve won an impressive 11 of the 18 away H2Hs this century (D3, L4), with no visiting team winning here more often during that period![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Irvin Cardona scored Saint-Étienne’s final two goals against Brest and all four of his league strikes this term were scored here. Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette, who scored the winner in November’s reverse fixture (W 1-0) and netted against Manchester United, has scored in three of his last four league appearances, twice from the penalty spot before half-time.[/p]
[p]Hot streak: Lyon have scored at least twice in each of their last ten league games (W7, L3) and doing so again here would set a new club record.[/p]
[p][i]Written by John Pennington[/i][/p]