Auxerre vs. Saint Etienne: Preview and betting tips

Thursday’s poor football schedule will offer only the Ligue 1 barrage. First league Saint Etienne travel to Auxerre, who finished third in the second league. What to expect from the match and what to bet on?

Auxerre are in third place in Ligue 2, just a point behind direct promotion Ajaccio. They qualified for the barrage after winning the play-off against Sochaux, who they beat on penalties after a goalless draw. It will now face a first league test.

Saint Etienne are in the bargaining zone because of their poor end to the season, with just two points from the last six rounds. However, Etienne can still be happy for the game against Auxerre, finishing only a point behind last and penultimate place.

The home side rely on striker Gaëtan Charbonnier, author of seventeen goals and seven assists. He is helped a lot by winger Gauthier Hein, who has made eleven saves and assisted seven goals.

Wahbi Khazri, a long-time mainstay and captain of both Saint Etienne and the Tunisian national team, boasts ten goals and one assist. Experienced Algerian midfielder Ryad Boudebouz scored four times and assisted on five more goals.

The home side will miss injured Theo Pellenard, while the visitors cannot rely on Boudebouz and Yvan Neyou.

Auxerre rely on a solid defensive line, having conceded at most once in the last eight rounds.

On the other hand, Saint Etienne are firing it up away from their own stadium, scoring more than once in three of their last five away games.

Given their experience in big games and decent away shooting form, I think Saint Etienne will win.