SM
Serbia vs. England: 17 hrs 7 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
S
Ligue 2
May 24, 2024 at 7.30pm UK
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard

St Etienne
2 - 0
Rodez AF

Cardona (64'), Mbuku (90+6')
Bentayg (86')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Haag (53')

Preview: Saint-Etienne vs. Rodez AF - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Saint-Etienne vs. Rodez AF - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Friday's Ligue 2 clash between Saint-Etienne and Rodez, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Both looking for a glorious return to the top table of French football, Saint-Etienne and Rodez AF will meet in the Ligue 2 playoffs on Friday night at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

Les Verts qualified straight into this stage of the playoffs due to their league position, whilst Les Sangs had to fend off the attentions of Paris FC in the previous round.


Match preview

Following an eighth-placed finish in Ligue 2 - and subsequently a failed attempt to earn promotion at the first try - Saint-Etienne are making a genuine case for a place back in Ligue 1 this season, with Les Verts now just three matches away from returning to the top division.

Despite a defeat to third-tier bound Quevilly on the final day of the regular season, Etienne still managed to secure third place in the Ligue 2 standings, meaning that they avoided entering this season's playoffs at the earliest stage.

With the first leg of this semi-final clash at home, Olivier Dall'Oglio's troops will be looking to continue their stellar in form in front of their own supporters, with Saint-Etienne currently unbeaten in seven contests at their base.

Making a name for himself in Ligue 2 over recent years with the likes of Niort and Sochaux, striker Ibrahim Sissoko has hit the ground running during his first campaign for Les Verts, making the net ripple on 12 occasions in league appearances so far.

After a game full of drama, dismissals and penalty misses, Rodez managed to qualify into the next stage of this season's playoffs after beating Paris FC during a penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in normal side between the sides ranked fourth and fifth in the Ligue 2 standings.

Nouha Dicko opened the scoring for the visitors at Stade Paul Lignon in the fourth minute, but Rodez rallied into the lead thanks to strikes from Bradley Danger and Killian Corredor, although Paris were able to force the game to be decided from 12 yards as Kouadio-Yves Dabila netted a 96th-minute equaliser.

With Serge Raux Yao, Lucas Buades and Giovani Haag all missing for Rodez in the shootout first off, it appeared as if Les Sangs would definitely be remaining in Ligue 2, but a turnaround in the penalties knocked Paris out of the playoffs.

Didier Santini's side need to move quickly away from their poor form on the road if they are to secure a surprise win at Saint-Etienne on Friday night, when the visitors will be looking to secure only their seventh away victory of the campaign on the 20th attempt.

Saint-Etienne Ligue 2 form:

Rodez AF Ligue 2 form:
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • W


Team News

Saint-Etienne could make some alterations to side their side after defeat last time out, but Mickael Nade and Anthony Briancon should keep their spots at centre-back.

The same cannot be said for goalkeeper Etienne Green, who is highly likely to be replaced by first-choice stopper Gautier Larsonneur in between the sticks.

After helping their side to victory from off the bench last time out, the likes of Raphael Lipinski and Wilitty Younoussa could be handed starts.

Les Sangs are set to continue with their potential two-man forward line on Friday of Corredor and Andreas Hountondji - the pair have 26 Ligue 2 goals between them so far this season.


Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Larsonneur; Appiah, Briancon, Nade, Petrot; Moueffek, Monconduit, Cardona, Chambost, Cafaro; Sissoko

Rodez AF possible starting lineup:
Jaouen; Danger, Yao, Mambo; Haag, Sylla, Rajot, Taibi, Abdallah; Corredor, Hountondji


We say: Saint-Etienne 2-0 Rodez AF

Saint-Etienne have home advantage and finished higher than their opponents in the regular season, so Les Verts should be confident of progressing into the playoff final.

Rodez scrapped through the last stage on penalties following an energy-draining 90 minutes, and we reckon that Les Sangs will run out of fuel on their quest for promotion.


body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__544295 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-05-23 06:26:36:
html db last update - 2024-05-23 06:26:36 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Metz promoted to Ligue 1 as Bordeaux handed loss against Rodez AF
Italy overcome shocking start to claim narrow win over Albania at Euro 2024
Emotional Embolo goal caps off hard-fought Switzerland win
Saint-Etienne strike in extra time to return to Ligue 1
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CAuxerre382111672363674
3Saint-EtienneSt Etienne381981148311765
4Rodez AFRodez AF3816121062511160
5Paris FCParis FC381611114942759
6Caen38177145145658
7Laval381510134045-555
8AmiensAmiens38121793636053
9GuingampGuingamp381312134440451
10PauPau381312136057351
11Grenoble381312134344-151
12Bordeaux38149155052-250
13Bastia38149154448-450
14Annecy381210164950-146
15Ajaccio381210163546-1146
16DunkerqueDunkerque381210163652-1646
RTroyes38914154250-841
RQuevilly38717145155-438
RConcarneau38108203957-1838
RValenciennes38611212654-2829
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Price tag set: Arsenal 'lay out conditions' for Smith Rowe sale

1

PT

Seal of approval? Arne Slot 'green lights' Liverpool attacker signing

2

SO

Broken promises: Arsenal man 'makes transfer request' amid four-way battle

3

BP

Preview: Hungary vs. Switzerland - prediction, team news, lineups

4

PH

Man City 'make decision' on Julian Alvarez future amid Chelsea interest

5

MC

Transfer news and rumours: Maatsen to Villa, Barron to Rangers, Ghoddos to Southampton

6

TN

Top 10 youngest managers in Premier League history

7

T1

Arsenal 'keen' on £42m Spain international forward

8

A'

Liverpool 'enquire' about signing Chelsea defender

9

L'

Record-breaking Yamal reacts to historic appearance at Euro 2024

10

RY


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .