St Etienne – Troyes Prediction & Picks (22.04.2018)

Saint-Étienne and Troyes meet at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, in a match for the 34 th round of League 1. In the last direct match for this edition of the league, on 01-10-2017, Troyes won at home by (2-1). The history of recent direct confrontations is favorable to the home team, which records 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss in the last 5 matches. The last direct confrontation between these two teams, on 01-24-2018, ended with the victory of Troyes by (4-3), in the shoot-off on penalties. In this match the home factor may be decisive, since the Troyes presents considerable differences in their results at home and as a visitor.

Saint-Étienne:

After 12 wins, 10 draws and 11 losses, the home team is currently in the 8 th position of the league, with 46 points won. In the last match, they have won in an away match against Strasbourg by (0-1), after in the previous match they have tied (1-1) at home, in a match against PSG. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 5 draws and 6 losses in away matches; against 5 wins, 7 draws and 3 losses at their stadium. For the championship, Saint-Étienne won 14 points out of 30 possible points, after 3 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses in the last 10 home matches. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have always scored at least one goal in the last 10 matches for this competition. There is a tendency for goals in their home matches, since 14 of the last 16 matches they have played for this competition have ended with Over 1,5 goals. In 33 matches in this competition, they only got 2 comebacks in the 16 matches in which they suffered the first goal.

Saint-Étienne left for this match with a triumph in Strasbourg, by 0-1, totaling an excellent series of eleven games in a row without losing in the French championship. In spite of the good moment, the landlords remain in a position very far from the access to the European competitions next year. In this game in his stadium coach Jean-Louis Gasset must keep the team in the usual tactical system, privileging possession of the ball and organized attacks, especially through the flanks. The attacking midfielder Rémy Cabella is one of the best markers of Saint-Étienne, with 6 goals scored. It is important to emphasize that the local team has presented several defensive weaknesses, as it suffered an average of 1.44 per game. For this game the local coach has all his players.

Troyes:

The away team is currently in the 19 th position of the league, with 29 points won, after 8 wins, 5 draws and 20 losses. In the penultimate match, they lost in an away match against Guingamp, by (4-0). In the last match, they lost in a home match against Olympique Marseille, by (2-3). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 1 win, 2 draws and 12 losses in away matches, with 10 goals scored and 29 conceded; against 6 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses at their stadium, with 15 goals scored and 18 conceded. For the league, Troyes won 1 point out of 30 possible points, after 1 draw and 9 losses in the last 10 home matches.

For this competition, they have not won any of the last 13 away matches. In their away matches there are a few frequent results at half-time: 1-0 (6 out of 17 matches) and 0-0 (6 out of 17 matches). Defensive consistency has not been their best feature, as they have conceded goals in 8 of the last 10 matches for this competition. In 33 games in this competition, he never got the comeback in the 17 games in which he suffered the first goal. In the last 16 away matches for this competition there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 5 of their 13 goals between minutes (46′-60 ‘).

Troyes left for this unmotivated match, after having added another defeat in the championship, this time against Marseille, by 2-3. It is important to note that visitors are still desperately in the relegation zone and only a win can take the team out of that uncomfortable situation. In this game away from home, coach Jean-Louis Garcia must maintain the usual 4-2-3-1, benefiting the organization and counterattacks: Niane is the team’s offensive reference. The player mentioned above is the best score of Troyes, with 7 goals scored. Without great absences, the Troyes must enter the field in maximum strength.