Ligue 1 | Gameweek 19

Jan 24, 2025 at 7.45pm UK

Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps

Auxerre vs St Etienne

Match preview

At the start of December, Auxerre were well on their way to European football after taking 13 points from five games at the end of November.

Since then, however, they have failed to win in any competition, taking just three points from six Ligue 1 games and suffering a shock Coupe de France defeat at home to Dunkerque.

Their worst result in the league came last weekend when they lost 2-0 away to Angers, with Gabriel Osho's early red card doing little to help their cause.

The results have seen Pelissier's side drop to 11th, with Angers moving level on points after their win last weekend, and Reims also closing the gap.

Auxerre were in the top seven less than two months ago, but now find themselves as close to the drop zone as they are in it, with upcoming opponents Saint-Etienne occupying the final relegation spot.

Auxerre are hoping to end their worst run of home form (four games without a win) since relegation in 2022-23 and will be hoping to replicate the 5-2 success they enjoyed against Les Verts in Ligue 2 last season.

However, the visitors won the reverse fixture 3-1 in October and have enjoyed something of a revival under new coach Eirik Horneland, who took over during the short winter break.

Despite starting the weekend in the bottom three, Horneland has guided Saint-Etienne to four points from their opening three games, including a narrow 2-1 away defeat to leaders Paris Saint-Germain a fortnight ago.

Goal difference is all that separates them from Rennes and Nantes, who sit just above the relegation zone, and it was the Canaries that Saint-Etienne faced last weekend, with Augustine Boakye rescuing a point for Horneland's side late on.

Nantes are also the only team they have managed to pick up a point against on the road this season, having lost all five of their away fixtures, conceding 14 goals in the process.

Conceding almost 3.5 goals per game away from home in Ligue 1 this season illustrates why Saint-Etienne are where they are, but things could be changing for the better under the new coach, who held free-scoring PSG to just two goals in their only away game so far.

However, their away form is unlikely to improve much in the coming fixtures, with three of their next four away from the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, including trips to high-flying Marseille and Lille.

Recent Performance

Auxerre Ligue 1 form:LDDLDL

Auxerre form (all competitions):DDLLDL

Saint-Etienne Ligue 1 form:LLLWLD

Saint-Etienne form (all competitions):LLLWLD

Team News

Osho's red card at Angers last week means the Auxerre defender will be suspended, along with Paul Joly, who was sent off against Lille a week earlier.

Also at the back, Jubal missed the Angers defeat with an adductor injury and is unlikely to return in time for this game.

Auxerre have not been active in the transfer market, but one of their players has left this month, with Madagascan midfielder Rayan Raveloson joining Swiss champions Young Boys.

Saint-Etienne are a club renowned for their youth academy and the next possible graduate made his full debut last weekend, with Djylian N'Guessan becoming the 11th-youngest starter in Ligue 1 history after only turning 16 in August, but last week's hero Boakye is in line to start and it could be the youngster he replaces.

The visitors have two players suspended for this game, with Ibrahim Sissoko out after his dismissal against Marseille was upgraded to a seven-match ban, while Benjamin Bouchouari has reached the yellow card limit.

Goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur has been a busy man between the sticks for Saint-Etienne this season, but he will be hoping to continue his fine record against Auxerre, who are unbeaten in their last six meetings, winning five of them.

Possible starting lineup

Auxerre possible starting lineup:

Larsonneur; Appiah, Batubinsika, Nade, Petrot; Fomba, Bouchouari, Mouton; Boakye, Stassin, Davitashvili

Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:

Leon; Hoever, Diomande, Akpa, Mensah; Perrin, Diousse, Owusu, Massengo, Traore; Sinayoko