Nantes vs Saint Etienne Prediction & Betting Tips - Ligue 1

Prediction published on 06/11/2019, 23:05  by Donal Kearns | Modified on 09/11/2019 at 12:11 in Ligue 1 Predictions

=10.5ptChristian Gorucuff’s Nantes have really surprised the doubters this season with a series of incredibly solid displays carrying them all the way up to third. However, the wheels have started the come off as they have lost each of their last three league games, failing to score each time. These defeats have all come against rather beatable sides like Metz, Monaco and Bordeaux but Nantes’ lack of attacking threat has come back to bite them. Nantes have created very little going forward this season and are the drawn lowest side for chances created and goals scored so far. In the early stages of the season this was endurable as their defence was so good, but four goals conceded in their last three league matches have begun to expose the cracks in this side. Nantes have also historically struggled against Saint-Étienne with no wins in their last five clashes with les Verts so this will not be an easy fixture for les Canaris.

=10.5ptSaint-Étienne have had a fairly mixed start to life under Claude Puel and that continued on Thursday as they threw away a two-goal lead to eventually draw with Ukrainian side Oleksandria. It was a performance very untypical of a Puel side as they showed extreme naivety and it could cost them in the Europa League as they now face two crucial matches in order to progress to the knockout round. The consensus with Sainté is that since Puel has come in they have been better than they were under Ghislain Printant but still not reached the heights capable with the squad they have. They are still to lose under the new manager but some of the draws have been against extremely beatable sides like Oleksandria twice and last year’s 15th placed team Amiens at home. These three draws have come in their last four games where they have conceded five goals and scored six. They currently sit 8th in the table.