Nimes vs Saint-Etienne - The Greens set for slim win away from home

Newly promoted Nimes will welcome Saint-Etienne to the Stade des Costieres as they look to end a run of eight matches without a win. The visitors have impressed this season and look set to secure a slim victory on Friday.

The Crocodiles are coming off a 2-0 defeat away at Olympique Lyon in their previous league fixture. The newly promoted team will consider themselves unlucky as they missed a number of good goal-scoring opportunities in the encounter.

The defeat means Bernard Blaquart's men are now without a win in their last eight matches in the league. They have lost four times in that run and have dropped to 15th on the table with 10 points, one above the relegation places.

The hosts have struggled for goals this season and have failed to score in their last four fixtures. Sada Thioub and Renaud Ripart should continue in attack on Friday despite scoring just two goals each in 10 matches for the club.

The Greens were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw at home by Stade Rennes last time out. They took the lead early in the first half through a Wahbi Khazri penalty but could not hold on and conceded the equalizer before the break.

Jean-Louis Gasset's men have been one of the more impressive teams in Ligue 1 this season as they are currently sixth on the table, just three points off the European places. They head into Friday's clash in fine form having claimed three wins and a draw in their last five matches.

Khazri is the team’s top scorer this season with five goals and is expected to retain his place in attack. The Tunisian forward will provide support for striker Lois Diony who has scored just two goals so far.

Nimes and Saint-Etienne have faced each other just eight times previously with the visitors leading the head-to-head by three wins to two. Both teams met in the round of 32 of the Coup de France last season with Gasset's team claiming a 2-0 victory.

Nimes have had plenty of problems in attack this season having failed to score in their last four matches. The likes of Thioub and Ripart are unlikely to trouble Loic Perrin and Neven Subotic at the back for Saint-Etienne.

The visitors have fared much better in attack particularly with Khazri and Diony who have combined for seven goals this season. Both men will be confident of getting the better of Anthony Briancon and Fethi Harek in the Nimes defence.

Nimes are winless in their last eight matches and are unlikely to get any joy against Saint-Etienne. Friday’s clash may not have a lot of goals but the visitors have enough quality to secure the win and also keep a clean sheet in the process.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.89 – 5 Units

Value Bet: Saint-Etienne Win to Nil @ 4.20 – 2 Units

Correct Score Bet: Saint Etienne Win 2-0 @ 13.00 – 1 Units