Auxerre Vs St Etienne

The weekend in Ligue 1 begins with an intriguing clash at the Stade de l'Abbe Deschamps on Friday evening, where the struggling Auxerre take on a Saint-Etienne side that is in a perilous position at the foot of the table, fighting to stave off relegation.

In recent weeks, Auxerre have seen their once-promising season crumble. The team, which started the campaign with significant ambition, has now found itself in a tough spot under the stewardship of manager Christophe Pelissier. Despite initial positive signs, Auxerre's form has fallen sharply, leaving them with much to prove as they face a resurgent Saint-Etienne, who are still grappling with the challenges of returning to France's top tier. The match promises to be a critical fixture for both sides, one that could have far-reaching consequences as the season unfolds.

At the beginning of December, Auxerre were very much in the hunt for a spot in European competition. They were riding high after a fantastic run in November, which saw them rack up 13 points from a possible 15, a streak that fueled dreams of continental football. However, since that promising stretch, their form has been anything but stable. They have struggled to register victories, securing just three points from their last six league games. In addition to their domestic woes, Auxerre also suffered a shock Coupe de France exit at the hands of Dunkerque, a defeat that raised further concerns over the team’s trajectory.

The most alarming of their recent results came last weekend, where they were defeated 2-0 by Angers away from home. The match was made even more challenging for Auxerre after Gabriel Osho received an early red card, leaving them to play with a man disadvantage for most of the game. This setback has left Pelissier’s side in a downward spiral, with the team now in 11th place. They have seen the likes of Angers and Reims close the gap to them, making their situation all the more concerning. Just a couple of months ago, Auxerre were in the upper reaches of the table, sitting comfortably within the top seven. Now, they find themselves perilously close to the relegation zone, with Saint-Etienne occupying the final spot that would condemn them to the second division.

The task ahead for Auxerre is a difficult one. They are hoping to reverse their current poor form at home, where they have gone winless in their last four outings. This stretch represents their worst run on home soil since their relegation in the 2022-23 season. To add to their troubles, they will face an opponent in Saint-Etienne that is also desperate for points. Last season, when the two teams met in Ligue 2, Auxerre had a dominant victory, winning 5-2 in a high-scoring affair at home. They will no doubt be hoping for a similar result against the struggling Saint-Etienne, though they will need to overcome the considerable challenges that have dogged their recent performances.

On the other hand, Saint-Etienne are in a difficult position, but they have shown signs of improvement under their new manager, Eirik Horneland. Despite sitting in the relegation zone as they begin the weekend’s action, Saint-Etienne have taken four points from Horneland’s first three games at the helm. The new manager’s influence has been felt immediately, with the team putting in a much-improved performance in their most recent league outing, narrowly losing 2-1 to the league leaders, Paris Saint-Germain, away from home. In what was perhaps their best performance of the season, Saint-Etienne managed to keep PSG relatively quiet, restricting the high-powered Parisians to just two goals, a notable achievement given PSG’s prolific attack.

The results have been close, with Saint-Etienne's goal difference serving as the only factor separating them from Rennes and Nantes, teams that are also fighting to stay above the drop zone. Last weekend, the team managed to snatch a valuable point against Nantes, with Augustine Boakye scoring an equalizer late in the game to ensure the 1-1 draw. This result was important for Saint-Etienne, who have struggled to pick up points, particularly away from home. In fact, Nantes are the only team they have managed to earn a point from on the road this season, which highlights the difficulties Saint-Etienne have encountered when playing away.

Away form has been a major issue for Saint-Etienne throughout this campaign. The team has yet to win a game on the road, suffering five consecutive losses, with a particularly concerning statistic being their leaky defense. Saint-Etienne have conceded a staggering 14 goals in those five away defeats, which averages out to nearly three goals per game. This defensive frailty has been one of the primary reasons they find themselves fighting relegation, and it is clear that improvements will need to be made if they are to survive in Ligue 1.

However, there are indications that the tide may be turning for Saint-Etienne under Horneland’s stewardship. The team’s resilience against PSG showed that they are capable of competing against some of the league’s strongest sides. Despite their struggles, there is a sense of optimism around the club, especially given their new manager’s tactical approach. Horneland has instilled a sense of discipline and organization, and his defensive tactics in the match against PSG were particularly commendable. He will be hoping to build on that performance and improve his team’s consistency moving forward.

While it remains to be seen whether Saint-Etienne can improve their away form, their upcoming fixtures suggest that they will have a difficult time doing so in the short term. Three of their next four games are away from the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, including tough trips to high-flying Marseille and Lille, both of which will pose significant challenges for the team. These upcoming fixtures will be crucial for Horneland’s side, as they look to gain momentum and start climbing away from the bottom three.

Despite the challenging away schedule, there is hope for Saint-Etienne that their performances under Horneland can inspire a turnaround. If they can continue to improve and pick up points, particularly in their home fixtures, they will have a chance to avoid relegation. The battle at the bottom of Ligue 1 is expected to be tight, with several teams in similar positions, and every point will be vital as the season progresses.

As the two teams prepare to meet on Friday, both will be eager to secure a crucial win that could have a significant impact on their season. For Auxerre, a victory would be a much-needed boost, allowing them to end their poor run of form and potentially climb back up the table. For Saint-Etienne, the stakes are equally high, as they will look to take advantage of the opportunity to gain valuable points in their fight to stay in Ligue 1. It promises to be a fascinating encounter, one that could define the trajectory of both clubs as the season reaches its critical phase.