Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Ligue 1 match.
Returning to France's top tier, Saint-Étienne have thrilled fans with their impressive scoring ability. Lens, on the other hand, haven’t been active this season, though the coaching staff under Will Still continues to draw attention as the promising coach edges closer to their first European competition qualification.
Saint-Étienne
Over the last five Ligue 1 matches, Saint-Étienne have seen the total over 2.5 hit in four instances. After the September international break, they endured a crushing defeat to Nice (0:8), snatched a draw against Nantes (2:2), and enjoyed a victory over Auxerre (3:1). In that win, Zuriko Davitashvili notched a hat-trick as the team racked up 2.31 xG. It’s likely that Saint-Étienne’s players will continue their explosive form, showing little concern for the outcome.
Lens
It's clear that Lens have opted for a more restrained path to success. Their draw with Strasbourg (2:2) was fifth in a row, where they enjoyed extended possession (63%) and registered more shots (12-8). Under Will Still, the team have shifted to a 3-4-1-2 formation, with the emergence of former Energetik-BGU player Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbek has now established himself as a regular in the back three, though he still lacks the necessary experience for competing effectively.
Saint-Étienne vs Lens Prediction
Since March 2021, Saint-Étienne and Lens have played three consecutive matches where the total over 2.5 has come through. At the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, the underdogs will once again open the game up, meaning the visitors will have to respond.
