AS Saint-Etienne vs Bordeaux Preview : France Ligue 1 38e Journee 2011/12

Pre Match
May 20, 2012 8:00 PM BST
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard — Saint-Ètienne

Team News

Saint-Etienne suffered a further set-back with news that Kurt Zouma will miss three months and will undergo surgery on his left knee.

 

Florent Sinana-Pongolle is fit to return to the line-up after missing games against Nancy and Marseille. Lynel Kitambala and Yohann Andreu will continue to miss out.

 

Probable lineups : Ruffier, Ghoulam, Mignot, Marchal, Perrin, Lemoine, Guilavogui, Gradel, Clement, Alonso, Aubameyang. (4-2-3-1).

Jussie had to come off after 29 minutes against Lorient, the forward will miss the final day with a hamstring problem. Henrique will miss the final game of the season through suspension.

 

Young forward Andre Biyogo-Poko has undergone knee surgery and will be missing until the new season, unfortunately missing the Olympics for Gabon too.

 

Probable lineups : Carrasso, Mariano, Planus, Ciani, Tremoulinas, Sane, Plasil, Saivet, Obraniak, Maurice-Belay, Gouffran. (4-2-3-1).

Match Facts

 

Saint Etienne are undefeated in their last 7 home matches against Bordeaux in all competitions.

Bordeaux have won their last 5 matches in Ligue 1.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Bordeaux's last 3 away games in Ligue 1.

Bordeaux have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 away matches in Ligue 1.

Prediction

Down in the Stade Geoffrey-Guichard this game is absolutely huge in the race for the last Europa League place. Bordeaux currently sit fifth, only one point above Les Verts. The home side led by Christophe Galtier will hope his team can use the home advantage well to leap-frog Les Girondins and qualify for Europe.

 

Bordeaux are in pole position after Yoan Gouffran’s 90th minute penalty against Lorient gave them all three points. Saint-Etienne couldn’t recover from going 3-1 down to Nancy in the first half and could rue letting their good run finish before the end of the season.

 

Both teams have played both excellent and awful football throughout the season, only one can end the season on a high note.

 

Scored :  Saint Etienne 2 - 2 Bordeaux