Saint-Etienne vs Auxerre Prediction, Tips & Stats

Saint-Etienne and Auxerre will meet in the second and final leg of the Ligue 1 relegation play-offs as the Ligue 1 outfit play hosts to the Ligue 2 side with the top tier team having to deal with a 1-1 scoreline and win on the night in order to remain in the league.

St-Etienne have had an almighty topsy-turvy season. The club were rock bottom of the Ligue 1 table for months on end under Claude Puel, and following riots at the stadium and the worst form of any side in Europe at the time, the former Leicester City boss was rightfully so let go, and the club moved out of the relegation zone within weeks.

Pascal Dupraz soon took over, and he was unable to keep St-Etienne out of the drop zone with them trailing 17th-placed Clermont Foot by four points in the end. Worse yet, the seven-time Ligue 1 champions lost a league-high 20 games in the season, and only Bordeaux have conceded more than their 77, as they have also finished just one point above last place and immediate relegation.

As is normally the case in these relegation play-offs between two clubs from either division, the top flight side is normally favoured. St-Etienne are 4/9 to qualify still, but this cannot overlook Auxurre's late charge in the last game, as they scored with five minutes to go.

Dupraz's men should have enough quality to get through the game, however, as they simply have more firepower. We think they and the likes of Wahbi Khazri will get the job done and win the game for the Ligue 1 side here as they look set to remain in the French top flight.

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There are a few issues for Dupraz to deal with in this game and there are set to be some changes after a tough game in the first leg of this game. Gabriel Silva wasn't able to create an impact once again in the last game off the bench, and he will likely remain out of the side once more.

Wahbi Khazri has been the main man for the club this season, and his return from injury meant he was on the bench in the last game and he should now start, which means Crivelli will drop out. Bouanga is facing a late fitness test in this one, and the same applies to Aouchiche and Nordin.

Saidou Sow returned last time out as well, and he should come in for Sacko, after his late fitness test likely means he drops out. The usual defence of Nade, Moukoudi and Trauco will remain, however, as Lucas Gourna-Douath likely gets minutes as well now he is back fit. Yvann Macon and Romain Hamouma are set to miss through injury, while Ryad Boudebouz has returned and can get some game time here it seems. There are no suspensions picked up from the first leg either

Jubal has returned to the lineup now after his suspension has ended, but Sinayoko and Sakhi are set to face late fitness tests here with them picking up injuries in the draw with St-Etienne. Gaetan Perrin came off the bench to score last time out, and he should remain here in the starting XI with the injuries elsewhere. Aly Ndom has returned too and could now start, as Remy Dugimont campaigns for a starting role as well.