Football – France – Ligue 1
Sunday 5th October 2014 – Kickoff: 1400hrs
Saint-Etienne were held to a 0-0 draw by Dnipro in the Europa League during midweek, but they now return to the domestic French Ligue 1 with a home match against mid-table Toulouse, and a chance to keep tabs with the teams above them in the division.
Saint-Etienne drew with Bordeaux last time out in the league, which, upon retrospect, was probably a good point for the hosts despite being at home. They remain undefeated on home turf with wins over Reims 3-1 and Caen 1-0, along with stalemates against Stade Rennes 0-0 and Bordeaux, although the latter do occupy second place in Ligue 1 right now.
So, Saint-Etienne’s overall home record stands at 2-2-0 5/2 with Turkish forward Erdinc (3 goals) looking the most likely anytime goalscorer for the hosts.
Visitors Toulouse have returned some mixed results of late with wins over Evian TG 1-0 at home and a 3-0 away win at Stade Rennes, draws with Caen and PSG (both at home), along with losing at Reims 0-2.
Overall, that’s one defeat in their last five, but away from home looks to be their achilles heel as they’ve registered just one Ligue 1 win from their last eight on the road (having lost six of these by the way!)
Toulouse’s early away record therefore stands at 1-0-3 5/6 and they look likely to be another side in the division that will be depending on their home form to keep them out of trouble this term, as they still remain unbeaten at their Stadium Municipal.
Saint-Etienne will be keen to bounce back from their frustrating and disappointing midweek Europa League draw with a win here today, and I’ll back them to do just that with perhaps a 1-0 win to secure a vital three points.
Pick: Saint-Etienne straight win @ 1.95 Bet Victor
