St Etienne vs Angers Betting Tips and Predictions: Team News and Lineups Preview, 22 February 2025

The pressure is on Les Verts down at the bottom of the Ligue 1 table and we have a St Etienne vs Angers prediction preview in Ligue 1 this Saturday to oversee it. It feels like a huge occasion for the home team against a surprisingly resurgent Angers who are also in the quarter finals of the Coupe de France. 

St Etienne vs Angers Prediction: Home advantage to help St Etienne grab vital win

France Ligue 1, Saturday, 22nd February 18:00 (UK)

The honeymoon period for Eirik Horneland, who was appointed St Etienne boss around Christmas did not last too long. He won his first match in charge 3-1 against Reims, but Les Verts have failed to obtain any more victories since then. Horneland has transferred the playing style of a team who are now a high pressing, high intensity sort of side who are regularly on the front foot. This has sometimes been to their detriment though and there have been some questions raised about whether the new manager is asking too much of his players. Losing 5-1 at Marseille last week was an example of them being over-exposed. Horneland will argue that his fixtures since taking over have been difficult. The likes of PSG, Lille, Rennes and Marseille have been tough obstacles recently but a home game vs Angers will bring much greater expectations. 

Despite Angers’ steady improvement, to a level where they are in 11th place and 8 points clear of the relegation zone, they are seen as one of the poorer sides in the division and anyone should be targeting a home win in this type of game. This is a massive affair for Sainte and it does feel like ‘must win’ territory considering they are hovering just above the direct relegation places and face a strong Nice side next weekend. They can be backed at 2.35 to get the 3 points and this could be a nice spot to get Angers, who might be distracted by an upcoming Coupe de France quarter final tie. The visitors also have injury and suspension problems, most notably in-form striker Esteban Lepaul who will miss out. A lot of the stats and trends point towards under 2.5 goals here and Angers especially could lack some firepower. The 1-0 and 2-0 home win here is very possible, despite Sainte’s defensive flaws. The home fans will get behind them on such an occasion and it’s up to them to put in a performance. 

• St Etienne vs Angers Prediction: St Etienne to win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.35
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10 (TRACKED BET)

St Etienne vs Angers Prediction odds via bet365 as at 23:00, February 19th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

St Etienne vs Angers Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: Injury and suspension problems for Angers

St Etienne have a squad in good condition ahead of the game. They have no major injuries or suspensions to worry about. The big decisions which manager Eirik Horneland must make is who to play in attack. Winter signing Irvin Cardona must be pushing for a place in the starting XI, whilst the likes of Lamine Fomba and Louis Mouton could be potentially recalled to the midfield. 

Angers still have injury concerns to the likes of Carlens Arcus, Biumla and Cedric Hountondji. Midfielder Himad Abdelli missed last week’s game due to injury and is once again doubtful. The biggest point of concern is to striker Esteban Lepaul who has been ruled out of this fixture after going down injured late last weekend. His goals will be badly missed having scored 8 times in his last 10 competitive games. 18 year old Sidiki Cherif should spearhead the attacking line as a replacement. Midfielder Jean Eudes Ahoulou is suspended to add to the Angers squad issues. 

St Etienne possible starting lineup:
Larsonneur, Cornud, Nade, Petrol, Batubinsika, Tardieu, Ekwah, Bouchouari, Davitashvilli, Stassin, Cardona

Angers possible starting lineup:
Fofana, Hanin, Lefort, Bamba. Rao-Lisoa, Belkebla, Capelle Allevinah, Belkhdim, Ferhat, Sidiki Cherif

Match OPTA Stats: Stats and trends point towards under goals

• St Etienne have a mixed home record this season with 5 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats
• 10 out of 11 Angers’ away matches have ended under 2.5 goals this season
• 8 out of 10 St Etienne home games have ended under 2.5
• Angers have obtained the second fewest cards in Ligue 1 (33) and conceded the second fewest fouls (10.80 per game)
• Angers average the second least possession in the division (41.3%)
• St Etienne have by far the worst xGA in Ligue 1 (56.20) and have now conceded 50 goals 

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