Against All Odds: St Etienne to suffer in absence of key men

7Apr 2013

St Etienne are long odds-on for the visit of Evian TG in France's Ligue One this afternoon but with the red-hot Brandão suspended, Paul Robinson thinks they could be vulnerable.

St Etienne have climbed to fifth in the league after going 11 unbeaten in the league. They are now just a point behind Nice in fourth and three points behind Lyon who currently occupy the final remaining Champions League spot.

Christophe Galtier's side have been held to draws in their last three though and while holding PSG at home and getting a point at Rennes isn't too bad, they failed to beat Troyes last time and they are bottom of the league. Both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Brandão netted in that game but the latter is suspended today and he has scored seven in his last eight matches.

Evian TG have recovered from a poor start to their campaign to lose just two of their last 10 league games and they are now one point clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand over Nancy, Brest and Troyes below them. The Pinks are unbeaten in four and that includes a 2-1 win at sixth placed Lille in their last away fixture.

Pascal Dupraz has a couple of players missing through injury but none as influential as who their opponents are without. They have fell to just one defeat in their last five away trips, keeping three clean sheets in that period and netting two goals themselves at Grand Stade Lille Métropole three weeks ago.

The reverse fixture finished 2-2 back in November and Evian TG actually won at St Etienne last term. The home side are very short here and I think they have to be taken on at the prices. That's why at around the 1.51 mark, I am making them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet

Lay St Etienne v Evian TG @ 1.51