Saint-Étienne vs Toulouse

As the 2024-25 Ligue 1 season reaches its dramatic conclusion, Saint-Etienne prepare to host Toulouse in a high-stakes encounter at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday night. For Saint-Etienne, this match represents far more than just a final fixture—it is a decisive battle for survival, a chance to secure their place in France’s top division for another year. Their recent resurgence, marked by a crucial victory over Reims last weekend, has reignited hope among their supporters, but the job is far from finished. Toulouse, meanwhile, arrive with little at stake in terms of league position, having already ensured another mid-table finish. However, they will be eager to end their campaign on a positive note, particularly after a recent upturn in form that has seen them avoid defeat in their last three matches.  

Saint-Etienne’s journey this season has been one of resilience and determination. Having earned promotion back to Ligue 1 via the playoffs last year, they have faced an uphill battle to avoid an immediate return to the second tier. The threat of relegation has loomed large for much of the campaign, but last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Reims provided a vital lifeline. Goals from Florian Tardieu and Irvin Cardona in the first half secured a rare away win, their first since mid-March, and injected fresh belief into their survival bid. That result lifted them to 17th place, just one point behind Le Havre, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot. With everything on the line in this final match, Saint-Etienne will draw confidence from their strong home form this season—21 of their 30 points have come at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, where they rank 11th in the league based on home performances.  

The absence of leading scorer Lucas Stassin due to a muscle injury is a significant blow for Les Verts, but they still possess attacking threats capable of making the difference. Georgian winger Zuriko Davitashvili has been a standout performer this season, contributing nine goals and seven assists in 32 league appearances. His creativity and eye for goal could prove decisive in what promises to be a tense and tightly contested match. Manager Eirik Horneland will be urging his players to channel the same fighting spirit they displayed against Reims, knowing that victory could secure their top-flight status while leaving their fate out of their own hands would be a dangerous gamble.  

Toulouse, in contrast, approach this fixture with considerably less pressure. Having comfortably avoided the relegation scrap, they are set for another mid-table finish, continuing the trend of their previous two seasons since returning to Ligue 1 in 2022. Their campaign has been a mix of highs and lows, including a concerning five-match losing streak in April that briefly raised fears of being dragged into a survival battle. However, they have since steadied the ship with an unbeaten run of three games, most recently holding Lens to a 1-1 draw at home. That resilience has ensured they sit 12th in the table, with the potential to finish anywhere between 10th and 13th depending on results elsewhere on the final day.  

Despite their improved form, Toulouse’s away performances have been a cause for concern in recent months. After impressive victories over Le Havre and Angers earlier in the year—both by emphatic 4-0 and 4-1 scorelines—their travels have yielded just one point from subsequent trips to Strasbourg, Marseille, Reims, and Nantes. This inconsistency on the road will give Saint-Etienne hope that they can capitalize and secure the result they desperately need.  

One bright spot for Toulouse in their recent draw with Lens was the return of Zakaria Aboukhlal from injury. The Moroccan forward, a key figure for Les Violets this season, made his first appearance since late April and will be eager to add to his tally of seven league goals. His presence adds another dimension to Toulouse’s attack, and his ability to influence games could be crucial in what may prove to be a tightly fought contest.  

As the final whistle blows on the Ligue 1 season, the narratives surrounding these two clubs could not be more different. For Saint-Etienne, it is a night of reckoning—a chance to complete a great escape and extend their stay among France’s elite. The passion of their supporters, combined with the stakes at hand, will ensure a raucous atmosphere at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard. Toulouse, meanwhile, will look to finish their campaign with pride, potentially playing the role of spoilers while also building momentum ahead of next season.  

In a league where the margins between survival and relegation are often razor-thin, this match encapsulates the drama and unpredictability that make Ligue 1 so compelling. Will Saint-Etienne rise to the occasion and secure their top-flight status, or will Toulouse deny them in what promises to be a gripping season finale? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—this is a match that will live long in the memory, no matter the outcome.