Reims vs St Etienne prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-05-09 19:00.
[p]Reims begin the penultimate round of the Ligue 1 season not yet safe from relegation, as they sit just two points above 16th-place Le Havre after their 1-0 loss to Nice last time out. That was just the Red and Whites’ second defeat in seven league games (W3, D2), so a setback against a team hunting for Europe shouldn’t be too damaging as they look to hang on to their top-flight status.[/p]
[p]They’ll be looking to maximise home advantage here after winning two of their last three outings at Stade Auguste-Delaune (L1), having failed to win any of their previous nine (D3, L6)! The visit of Saint-Étienne should provide a boost on that front as Reims have won each of their last three home H2Hs in Ligue 1, but were beaten in the reverse fixture (3-1).[/p]
[p]Saint-Étienne find themselves in a much worse position than their hosts, languishing in 17th and four points from safety. A defeat would confirm their relegation here, but their dreadful goal difference – not helped by back-to-back 3-1 defeats – means that even a victory might not be enough to keep them in with a realistic chance of survival should results elsewhere conspire against them.[/p]
[p]Eirik Horneland’s men hit the road knowing their form in away matches is what’s ultimately let them down this term. A meagre tally of six points won on their travels (W1, D3, L12) is better than only already-relegated Montpellier, against whom their only such victory came, while another reverse here would equal Les Verts’ highest-ever number of defeats after 17 away games of a Ligue 1 season.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Reims’ Keito Nakamura has netted the match opener in four of his last five scoring appearances, with that run starting against Saint-Étienne in January. The visitors’ best hopes may lie at the feet of Zuriko Davitashvili, who has scored in their last two games and seen five of his last six strikes come on the road.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Eight of Saint-Étienne’s last 11 games have seen both teams score and over 2.5 total goals.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Peter Stavrinou[/i][/p]