Three points will be at stake as Saint-Etienne and Reims go toe-to-toe with each other at Stade Geoffroy Guichard on Saturday 4 January. View our free Saint-Etienne vs Reims predictions below.
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Saint-Etienne vs Reims predictions: Ponderous at both ends
Key stats
- Saint-Etienne have lost in each of their last four competitive matches.
- Reims have failed to find the net in their last three league games.
- Reims are unbeaten in six H2Hs against Les Verts.
Correct score prediction: Saint-Etienne 1-1 Reims
On top of Reims’ goal-shy form, Saint-Etienne have scored just twice in six competitive outings, so we’re not expecting a particularly high-scoring encounter here.
Reims can afford to be risky far more than their hosts, given their higher position in the Ligue 1 table. That may reap dividends, but if we combine that with the potentially rejuvenating effect of a new manager for Saint-Etienne, 1-1 seems like a smart pick despite odds to the contrary.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Reims are clear favourites
- HOME: 13/5 (3.60) – 27.8%
- DRAW: 12/5 (3.40) – 29.4%
- AWAY: 23/20 (2.15) – 46.5%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Saint-Etienne’s higher powers sacked Olivier Dall'Oglio in December after they lost 2-1 to Toulouse. Eirik Horneland takes charge for the first time, and those in attendance will hope for a traditional ‘new manager bounce’. However, the bookmakers aren’t moved by this phenomenon, and have Les Verts as outsiders against their visitors.
If Reims are to upset the new Saint-Etienne boss’ unveiling as expected by the bookies, there’s a visible trend that implies they won’t waste much time, as each of their previous three wins have seen them score inside the opening 15 minutes and lead at the interval.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions after you’ve dissected our Saint-Etienne vs Reims predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Goalless draws uncommon
Going further back than the last five H2Hs (shown below), the two sides have met a total of 16 times in the top-flight this century. The most recent of those came in May 2022, and is unique in that it is the only one in that record to see goals at both ends before half-time.
There will surely be goals though, given that it’s been 15 encounters since the two sides ground out a 0-0 draw, with such a result last coming way back in September 2012.
France Ligue 1 14/05/22
St Etienne
Reims
France Ligue 1 11/12/21
Reims
St Etienne
France Ligue 1 20/02/21
St Etienne
Reims
France Ligue 1 09/01/21
Reims
St Etienne
France Ligue 1 23/02/20
St Etienne
Reims
Saint-Etienne preview: Unknown quantity may help or hinder
The presence of a new manager might make the XI more unpredictable than usual, but our picks are:
Predicted lineup: Larsonneur (GK), Cornud, Petrot, Abdelhamid, Appiah, Ekwah, Davitashvili, Mouton, Bouchouari, Amougou, Stassin.
France Ligue 1 13/04/25
D
Brest
3
St Etienne
3
France Ligue 1 06/04/25
L
Lens
1
St Etienne
0
France Ligue 1 29/03/25
L
PSG
6
St Etienne
1
France Ligue 1 16/03/25
W
Montpellier
0
St Etienne
2
France Ligue 1 09/03/25
D
Le Havre
1
St Etienne
1
Reims preview: Stability key to success
Shutting out Monaco to a goalless draw is no mean feat. Reims did that last time out in the league, even if it was on home turf. We’re therefore expecting Luka Elsner to largely stick with the XI he fielded against Les Monegasques, fitness permitting.
Predicted lineup: Diouf (GK), Buta, Sergio Akieme, Kipré, Agbadou, Munetsi, Atangana Edoa, Fofana, Ito, Nakamura, Diakité
France Ligue 1 11/04/25
W
Lens
0
Reims
2
France Ligue 1 06/04/25
L
Strasbourg
1
Reims
0
France Cup 02/04/25
W
Cannes
1
Reims
2
France Ligue 1 29/03/25
W
Marseille
1
Reims
3
France Ligue 1 16/03/25
D
Brest
0
Reims
0
Player to watch: Zuriko Davitashvili
With five goals and two assists in the league to date, the Georgian is delivering a goal contribution roughly every other game.
That said, he’s only scored in two games this season, with both being played in October and seeing Saint-Etienne win by a two-goal margin (3-1 vs Auxerre & 4-2 vs Angers).
However, with a new manager to impress, he’s sure to up his efforts here and end that wait for a goal.