Lille OSC vs Saint-Etienne: Ligue 1 Match Preview & Prediction

Lille OSC is set to host Saint-Etienne in a Ligue 1 clash at Stade Pierre-Mauroy

Lille OSC has a history of doing better at home. They defeated Nantes, 2-1 at home and then succumbed away from home to Amiens, 0-1.

Les Douges are still undefeated against Saint-Etienne at home in the last eight games since 2012 (W5, D3). Saint-Etienne, however, have found the net five times in those eight games.

Le Verts, meanwhile, have bagged four points in two outings with a 2-1 win at Dijon followed by a 1-1 home draw against Brest. Interestingly, Saint-Etienne have only lost one of their last 11 away games.

Lille OSC Injury News

Xeka (hamstring), Timothy Weah (muscle, and Renato Sanches will not play this match due to injuries. 

While Boubakary Soumare has been suspended for this match for his straight red card against Amiens.

Saint-Etienne Injury News

Gabriel Silva (Achilles tendon), Kevin Monnet-Paquet (cruciate ligament), William Saliba (groin), FranckHonorat, and Wesley Fofana (knee) will not take part in this match owing to their respective injuries.

Probable Playing XIs

Lille OSC [4-2-3-1]

Saint-Etienne [4-2-3-1]

Players to Watch

Jonathan Bamba

Bamba has 20 goals to his name in 49 home appearances. His last home goal, however, was against Angers in May 2019.

Last season, he scored 13 goals and provided two assists in 38 appearances. Moreover, he has two goals to his name in one home appearance vs Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.

Osimhen has scored five goals in the last four matches. Since his arrival at Lille OSC, he has netted two goals in two matches with an average of two shots per game. He's bound to be under the spotlight for this match.

Wahbi Khazri

The experienced Khazri has scored in 13 of his 70 Ligue 1 appearances. He last scored an away goal way came back in January 2019 vs Guingamp. The Tunisian, however, has not found the net vs Lille OSC two appearances in Ligue 1.

Home vs Away Stats

Here's a look at the teams' home and away performances.

Lille OSC is playing at their home. Here are their last five home match performances in all competitions.

Last five Saint-Etienne away match performance in all competitions.

Prediction

Lille OSC has won three of its last five home matches against Saint-Etienne. I think that they will continue that winning run.

That being said, I do expect Saint-Etienne to find the net in this one.

Predicted score: Lille OSC 2 – 1 Saint-Etienne