Nice - Saint-Étienne predictions

A quick look at the betting odds with some of the biggest bookmakers online is enough to tell you who the favourites are. Priced at 1.70, a home win seems the obvious choice. An upset is not quite impossible, mind you, which adds a small degree of risk but is ultimately food increasing profits.

This one has Home Win written all over it. The hosts are expected to grab a firm hold of the proceedings and Saint-Étienne will be left with slim pickings in this match.

Nice’s defeat in the previous round was to be expected, frankly. They played as visitors against a considerably stronger team - Olympique Marseille . They were already trailing behind during half-time, and things only went down from there on, resulting in a compelling 2:0 defeat.

To call Saint-Étienne’s recent victory unexpected would be quite an understatement. Top online bookmakers priced such an outcome at 1.86, which seemed impossible to overcome even with a home-field advantage. However, they were already leading in the first half, ultimately recording a narrow but important win.

With 6 goals in their own net over the last 3 matches, Saint-Étienne’s defence leaves a lot to be desired.

The start of the season has not exactly been ideal for Nice so far. Currently in 12th place at the table, there’s a long road ahead of them if they want to end the season on a high note. Admittedly, though, they’ll have plenty of chances to move up, starting with their clash with Saint-Étienne.

As clear underdogs in the game on Friday, Saint-Étienne will have to fight hard just to defend their number 16th table position. It’s too early in the season to accurately predict how it will all play out, though, so they can still hope for a Europa Qualification, which is currently 4 points away.

This match is notable for the number of injuries reported prior by both sides. On one hand, the hosts will have to make do without Hicham Boudaoui, Gaëtan Laborde, Terem Moffi, Morgan Sanson. On the other, the visitors will not be able to count on Anthony Briançon, Ibrahima Wadji, Thomas Monconduit, Augustine Boakye. Both are in a precarious state, but you should take the importance of these players to the respective strategies before putting down a stake.

An Under 2.5 Goals bet is an easy tip to offer – it’s a fairly probable outcome with betting odds priced at a comfortable 2.08. More importantly, though, the betting value it offers is surprisingly solid.