St Etienne vs Angers prediction: FRANCE: Ligue 1 betting tips on match 2025-02-21 18:00.
[p]In the final Ligue 2 classifications last season, Saint-Étienne finished three points behind second-placed Angers as both sides gained promotion to the top flight. However, ahead of Saturday’s Ligue 1 round 23 clash at the Stade Geoffrey-Guichard, Sainté trail the visitors by eight points, meaning they start the round in 16th place and are currently on track to take part in the inter-divisional play-offs for the second successive year![/p]
[p]A 5-1 away defeat in Marseille last Sunday made it just one win from their last 11 league and cup fixtures (D2, L8), so Eirik Horneland’s side might even accept a play-off berth if offered at this stage! But all is not lost as home teams are unbeaten in Ligue 1 H2Hs between all the promoted sides so far in this campaign (W4, D1), which includes a 3-1 win for Saint-Étienne over Auxerre in October.[/p]
[p]Angers will not only be looking to change that statistic from the last seven months, but they will also be targeting their first away H2H victory after 17 failed attempts (D6, L11) across all competitions! The opportunity to complete the double over Saint-Étienne for the first time in their history is up for grabs as well, after they won 4-2 at home in round nine.[/p]
[p]With seven victories from their last ten league and cup fixtures (L3) on their travels, and the chance to break into the top ten by full-time, confidence should be high in the Angers dressing room ahead of kick-off. After a 1-0 win at Reims in round 22, Angers will also be aiming for consecutive top-flight away victories for the first time since November 2020![/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lucas Stassin got an assist in October’s H2H and has contributed to five (G4, A1) of Saint-Étienne’s last nine goals including the consolation strike in last weekend’s heavy defeat at Marseille. Farid El Melali’s last three goal contributions (G2, A1) have all come on the road and he will be looking to find the back of the net for a third successive competitive away game![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Across their last 12 league and cup away fixtures, Angers have only once been behind at half-time.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Tom Penn[/i][/p]