Saint-Etienne will aim to secure their first points of the new Ligue 1 season when they host Lille at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Friday for matchday four. The pressure is mounting on Les Verts as they sit at the bottom of the table, while Lille, currently sixth, will look to bounce back after a recent defeat against Paris Saint-Germain.

Saint-Etienne vs Lille Standings and Recent Form

Saint-Etienne's return to Ligue 1 has been rocky, with three straight losses, including a 4-0 defeat against Brest before the international break. This poor form has left them at the foot of the table, and they have yet to score a goal this season—a first in their top-flight history. It’s also the second time the club has opened a Ligue 1 campaign with three consecutive defeats, the last time being in the 2009-10 season when they narrowly avoided relegation.

On the other hand, Lille’s season started positively, but they have since cooled off, dropping points in their last two matches across all competitions, including a 3-1 loss to PSG. Despite this setback, Les Dogues remain just three points off the top of the table and only one point behind Marseille and Nantes, who occupy the automatic Champions League spots.

Saint-Etienne vs Lille Head-to-Head

In recent meetings between the two sides, Lille has had the upper hand, with Saint-Etienne failing to win a top-flight fixture against them since a commanding 5-0 victory in the final matchday of the 2017-18 campaign. However, Saint-Etienne managed to keep Lille off the scoresheet in two of their last three encounters. Lille’s last victory at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard came in March 2019, with a narrow 1-0 win.

Saint-Etienne vs Lille Top Scorers

Saint-Etienne

Saint-Etienne has struggled offensively this season, failing to find the net in their first three matches. As such, they have no top scorers to highlight at this stage.

Lille

Jonathan David has been Lille’s most consistent scoring threat over the past three Ligue 1 seasons, and he is expected to lead the line once more despite being on international duty with Canada earlier this week. Edon Zhegrova scored Lille's only goal in their recent loss to PSG, marking his first of the 2024-25 domestic campaign.

Saint-Etienne vs Lille Team News

Saint-Etienne could be without several key players due to injuries. Captain Anthony Briancon (knee), Yvann Macon (meniscus), and Thomas Monconduit (thigh) are all sidelined. Ben Old, who had a muscle injury, featured in two friendlies for New Zealand during the international window, while Augustine Boakye remains questionable with a muscle strain. Aimen Moueffek is back in training and played in their last match, coming on as a substitute.

Lille might also have to deal with some absences. Samuel Umtiti is nursing a sore knee, Nabil Bentaleb is dealing with an illness, and Ismaily has a meniscus injury. However, Jonathan David is expected to return in time, and Angel Gomes, who returned in their previous match, is available for selection.

Saint-Etienne vs Lille Predicted Line-ups

Saint-Etienne: Larsonneur; Macon, Batubinsika, Abdelhamid, Cornud; Appiah, Amougou; Moueffek, Davitashvili, Tardieu; Wadji

Lille: Chevalier; Diakite, Mandi, Alexsandro; Meunier, Andre, Gomes, Gudmundsson; Zhegrova, Cabella; David

Saint-Etienne vs Lille Player to Watch

Jonathan David is the player to watch for Lille. As the leading goalscorer for Lille in the past three seasons, his return from international duty with Canada will be crucial for Les Dogues. His presence and goal-scoring ability could be the key to breaking down Saint-Etienne’s defense.

Where Can I Watch Saint-Etienne vs Lille?

The match will not be broadcast in the UK. Fans will need to check local listings or streaming services for availability in other regions.