AS Saint-Étienne takes on Stade de Reims in a Ligue 1 battle set for January 4, 2025, at 17:00 local time. The venue? Stade Geoffroy Guichard, a place rich with history. Both teams have a lot on the line, though their motivations differ. Saint-Étienne is in a tough spot, sitting 16th in the league with only 13 points. They’re fighting to avoid relegation, and the upcoming transfer window could be crucial for them.
Reims, meanwhile, is doing better, placed 10th with 20 points. A win here might just push them higher up the ranks. Saint-Étienne is struggling, recently suffering a 0-4 defeat to Marseille. Reims, contrastingly, comes off a strong 1-1 draw with Monaco and a spirited showing in the Coupe de France. History favors Reims; they’ve bested Saint-Étienne in their last six meetings. A bit of light rain is expected, possibly aiding Reims due to their crisp passing style.
Saint-Etienne vs Reims Prediction & Betting Tip
| Saint-Etienne vs Reims Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Reims Win | 2.22 |
With all the factors at play, Reims looks set to claim victory. Saint-Étienne’s recent issues at the back and Reims’ strong track record against them lead us to predict an away victory. With expected wet weather conditions favoring Reims, betting on them to win seems wise.
Saint-Etienne vs Reims Odds
| Saint-Etienne vs Reims Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Saint-Etienne Win | 3.41 |
| Draw | 3.20 |
| Reims Win | 2.22 |
Reims is slightly favored with 2.22 odds for the win. Saint-Étienne’s struggles contribute to their longer odds of 3.41. While a draw is at 3.20, the dynamic of the teams makes it less likely. Betting on over 2.5 total goals is also a potential play, given both teams’ knack for finding the net.
Saint-Etienne Team Analysis
Saint-Etienne Recent Performance
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Étienne | Lyon | 1-0 (Win) |
| Marseille | Saint-Étienne | 4-0 (Loss) |
| Saint-Étienne | Lorient | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Brest | Saint-Étienne | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Saint-Étienne | Nantes | 0-1 (Loss) |
Saint-Étienne hasn’t been at their best, losing four of their last five games lacks any spark for optimism. The defeat by Marseille in the Coupe de France showed their defensive flaws. They did beat Lyon, but their two goals in recent matches aren’t enough to inspire. Under new boss Eirik Horneland, there’s an urgent need for tactical fixes.
Saint-Etienne Key Players
Zuriko Davitashvili, with five goals, is their main threat in attack if they hope to defy the odds. Gautier Larsonneur’s goalkeeping will be key, and the defense rests heavily on Dylan Batubinsika and Leo Petrot. In the midfield, Pierre Ekwah should help manage the play. Up front, Mathieu Cafaro and Lucas Stassin need to break down Reims’ defense. With Ibrahim Sissoko out on suspension, others must fill the void.
Saint-Etienne Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Status | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Ibrahim Sissoko | Suspended | Not Applicable |
| Benjamin Old | Injured | Uncertain |
| Mickael Nade | Injured | Uncertain |
Saint-Étienne’s squad faces several injuries. Ibrahim Sissoko’s suspension limits their tactics. Benjamin Old and Mickael Nade’s injuries further strain their squad depth, which means Horneland must adjust tactics to cover for these absences, aiming for more robust defense and stable performances.
Saint-Etienne Tactics and Formation
Expect Saint-Étienne to line up in a 4-3-3, focusing on strong defense with hopes of counter-attacks. This setup aims to secure the midfield with Ekwah’s help and utilize Davitashvili and Cafaro’s speed on the wings. Without key players, there may be position shifts, perhaps leaning on long balls to dodge Reims’ midfield. They may switch formations mid-game based on Reims’ style, highlighting flexibility.
Reims Team Analysis
Reims Recent Performance
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Reims | Monaco | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Reims | Lens | 3-1 (Win) |
| Lille | Reims | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Reims | Strasbourg | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Reims | Dunkerque (CDF) | 5-0 (Win) |
Reims show steadiness in recent games, shown by their mixed results. Their 5-0 win in the Coupe de France proves their scoring strength. Holding Monaco to a 1-1 tie boosts their spirit, showing defensive grit. Their form is balanced, hinting at their constructive game style.
Reims Key Players
Keito Nakamura, top scorer with six goals, looks to exploit any Saint-Étienne defensive slips. Yehvann Diouf is key for clean sheets, supporting a strong defense fronted by Emmanuel Agbadou. Marshall Munetsi is vital, balancing the midfield, while Junya Ito adds creative flair up front. Oumar Diakite controls the midfield, crucial in steering Reims’ offensive strategies.
Reims Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Status | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Reda Khadra | Recovering | Uncertain |
| Teddy Teuma | Illness | Uncertain |
Reims faces fewer injury issues. Reda Khadra’s ongoing recovery and Teddy Teuma’s potential illness are manageable given their squad depth. Their main lineup stays intact compared to Saint-Étienne, offering more selection options and strategic consistency.
Reims Tactics and Formation
Reims will likely use a 4-3-3 formation, blending balance with counter-attacking prowess. They’ll target Saint-Étienne’s defensive weaknesses, using nimble shifts led by Nakamura’s scoring skill. Their game plan involves pressing and ball control to slow Saint-Étienne’s attacks. Their system flexibly toggles between firm defense and lively offense, breaking oppositional lines with long balls.
Saint-Etienne vs Reims Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Reims | Saint-Étienne | 2-0 (Win) |
| Saint-Étienne | Reims | 0-1 (Loss) |
| Reims | Saint-Étienne | 1-0 (Win) |
| Saint-Étienne | Reims | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Saint-Étienne | Reims | 1-2 (Loss) |
Reims has the upper hand in recent meetings, unbeaten in their last five against Saint-Étienne. Matches usually see over two goals, showing a taste for high-scoring games. With their solid form, Reims seeks to extend their edge. Saint-Étienne needs to fix past missteps in capitalizing on chances against Reims’ structured defense.
Venue and Weather
Stade Geoffroy Guichard can hold 42,000 fans, setting the stage for high energy as both teams gear up.
Forecasts point to a chilly 3.79°C with light rain throughout. Such weather seems suited to Reims, who excel with precise passing on wet grounds. While moderate winds at 4.07 m/s might affect gameplay, the familiar French weather indicates strategic changes are needed focusing on ball control over brute strength. Hence, Reims’ mastery of ball control could give them an edge in damp conditions.
