20 August 2021, 14:02 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
French Ligue 1 fixture, AS Saint-Etienne vs. Lille OSC kicks off at 20:00 (GMT+1) on Saturday, August 21 at the Geoffroy Guichard Stadium.
Preview Saint-Étienne Ligue 1, Aug 21, 2021
Preview Yet to find a victory since the start of the season, Saint-Etienne will return behind the 2-2 draw against Le Racing Club de Lens. The draw comes behind the 1-1 draw against Lorient on the opening day of the season. Saint-Etienne were on the front foot but allowed Lens to find their way back from behind, twice for the equalizer. Wahbi Khazri (1') put Saint-Etienne in front right after kick-off with some nifty footwork which left three on the floor as the ball rolled into the back of the net. But a stunning header from Ignatius Knepe Ganago (31') half-an-hour later saw the game leveled. Minutes later, Denis Bouanga (52') restored the lead for St. Etienne but once again Lens found the leveler, this time around through their captain, Seko Fofana (77'). The draw leaves St-Etienne in 8th place with 2 points after two games: 0W, 2D & 0L. Claude Puel will be aiming for his first three points of the season with the Green when they host Lille on home turf. An attacking 4--3--3 formation is expected from the 59-year-old Frenchman with the trio consisting of Denis Bouanga, Khazri and Hamouma leading the attack for the Saints. Central midfielder, Aimen Moueffek remains doubtful for this Saturday fixture when AS Saint-Etienne face the champions.
Preview Lille Ligue 1, Aug 21, 2021
Preview Borrowing a leaf from AS Saint-Etienne's book, defending champions Lille OSC are also yet to register a win since the start of the season. They have picked up only one point from two outings. Last weekend, they suffered a heavy loss to OGC Nice, - losing 4-0 on home soil at the Stade Pierre Mauroy. Former Lille coach, Christophe Galtier who joined OGC Nice for the start of the new campaign watched on from the sidelines as his side picked his former team, Lille to pieces. Meanwhile, Jocelyn Gourvennec watched on as a supposedly technically inferior OGC Nice handed him the biggest defeat of the season so far. He may return with a conventional 4--4--2 formation against St.-Etienne on Saturday, - with the attacking duo consisting of Burak Yilmaz and 23-year-old Jonathan Ikoné playing together up front. Portuguese midfielder, Renato Sanches remains unavailable for selection after recently undergoing a knee surgery. He is expected to be sidelined for six weeks. Goalkeeper, Léo Jardim conceded four in the game against OGC Nice but is expected between the sticks on Match Day 3.