Ligue 1 | Gameweek 18

Jan 19, 2025 at 2pm UK

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

St Etienne vs Nantes

Match Preview

After winning promotion to Ligue 2 through the play-offs last season, the hosts have struggled in the top flight.

After a disappointing start to the campaign, which saw St Etienne win just four of their opening 15 games, Les Verts sacked coach Olivier Dall'Oglio in December.

The former Rennes defender was replaced at the club by Norwegian coach Eirik Horneland, who got off to a winning start with a 3-1 win over Reims in his first game in charge in early January.

Horneland's men travelled to the capital last time out to take on defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, and the visitors had to settle for a 2-1 defeat at the Parc des Princes.

It is too early to say whether the first two games can be described as the new manager's first successes at the club, but the fans will be hoping that the positive performances can continue for the foreseeable future.

Horneland does not have an easy task ahead of him, having inherited a team with the second most porous defence in the league, having conceded 37 goals in 17 league games.

On top of that, they have one of the league's least prolific attacks, scoring just 16 goals in their 17 games - four of which have come in Horneland's short time in charge, highlighting the rapid improvement under their new boss.

Although it has been a season to forget for the club so far, the new manager can point to their much improved home record as another reason to be positive heading into this weekend's relegation battle with Nantes.

All five of the club's league victories so far this season have come on home soil, and only three of their 11 defeats this year have come at home, which bodes well ahead of such an important fixture.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they have been unable to replicate their home form on the road, with St Etienne picking up just one point away from home this season.

At home, they have conceded just eight times in eight games, but on the road they have conceded a staggering 29 goals in nine matches.

As such, they will be delighted to be at home for this game, as they face a Nantes side whose manager has been under pressure in recent weeks.

After failing to reach an agreement with either Sergio Conceicao or Habib Beye, Les Canaris decided to stick with Antoine Kombouare despite suffering four defeats in a row between the end of October and the end of November.

Since then, their form has picked up slightly, with a draw against PSG on 30 November followed by a win, two draws and a defeat in the league since then.

Despite showing signs of improvement, the visitors have struggled to win games this season, with just one win in their last 14 Ligue 1 outings.

While it is far from a turnaround, one defeat in their last five games has bought Kombouare a little more time in the dugout, but with their 12-year stay in Ligue 1 under threat, his side cannot afford to lose to St Etienne.

The visitors will need to improve their away record if they are to have any chance this weekend, having won just one away game all season and picked up just seven points on the road.

Their away misery continued in midweek when they were knocked out of the Coupe de France after a 2-1 defeat to Brest.

Recent Performance

Saint-Etienne Ligue 1 form:WLLLWL

Saint-Etienne form (all competitions):LLLLWL

Nantes Ligue 1 form:LDWLDD

Nantes form (all competitions):WLWDDL

Team News

Ibrahim Sissoko will be missing for the hosts as he continues to serve his lengthy suspension following his dismissal in the Coupe de France clash with Marseille.

St Etienne are also without a number of injured players, with Ibrahima Wadji, Yvann Macon, Ben Old and Thomas Monconduit all expected to return later this month.

In more disappointing news for the hosts, both Aimen Moueffek and Florian Tardieu are expected to miss out through illness.

The visitors, meanwhile, have a shorter injury list, with Tino Kadewere (muscle) and Pedro Chirivella (knee) expected to return to action later this month.

In another blow for the visitors, Nathan Zeze has been ruled out until next month with a sprained ankle.

Possible starting lineup

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:

Larsonneur; Petrot, Nade, Batubinsika, Appiah; Ekwah, Mouton, Davitashvili, Bouchouari, Cafaro; Stassin

Nantes possible starting lineup:

Lopes; Duverne, Castelletto, Pallois, Amian, Cozza; Lepenant, Augusto, Simon, Thomas; Abline