Preview:
Saint‑Étienne and Anderlecht meet at Stade Geoffroy‑Guichard, in a match for this stage of the UEFA Europa League (Group Stage). These two teams have never met before, so this will be the first head‑to‑head between them. In this match the home advantage may play an important role, since Anderlecht presents significant differences between home and away performances.
Analysis of Saint-Étienne
The home team comes to this 2nd round of Group C after a draw in their debut in this group stage, against Mainz 05, by (1‑1). This is a team that usually maintains its competitive level in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 13 goals scored and 15 conceded; against 7 wins, 4 draws and 4 losses at their stadium, with 18 goals scored and 11 conceded. In their last match, for the Ligue 1, they got a home win against Lille by (3‑1). In the last 10 home matches Saint‑Étienne has won 4, tied 3 and lost 3.
In this competition, they haven’t lost any of the last 5 matches. This is a team that has had a hard time trying to score first. They have opened up the score in only 2 of the last 10 matches, and have never reached half‑time in front. In 10 matches, they have conceded the first goal 5 times, but have turned the score around in 2. In the last 7 home matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 3 of their 7 goals between minutes (76'‑90').
Saint Etienne will enter the pitch once against in this Europe League after a 1-1 draw away from home against Mainz in the opening round. In the French league, they are having a reasonable camapign, as they are currently in 7th place. After 7 rounds, they have 3 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. In the previous round, they faced Lille at home and had a 3-1 win. They are currently running a 9 game undefeated streak, considering all their competitions. Their highlight has been Beric, with 3 goals this season.
Analysis of Anderlecht
The away team comes to this 2nd round of Group C after a win in their debut in this group stage, against Qabala, by (3‑1). This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 5 draws and 4 losses in away matches, with 32 goals scored and 25 conceded; against 11 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses at their stadium, with 29 goals scored and 13 conceded. In their last match, for the First Division A, they got a home loss against Westerlo by (1‑2). In the last 10 away matches Anderlecht has won 5, tied 4 and lost 1. Their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 9 of the last 10 matches. In 14 matches, they have conceded the first goal 5 times but have turned the score around in 3. In the last 7 away matches for all competitions there is 1 period that stands out: they have scored 5 of their 11 goals between minutes (61'‑75').
Anderlecht will play once again in this competition after a 3-1 win at home against Qabala. Before that, they eliminated Slavia Praga in the playoffs, after two 3-0 wins. In their national league, they were undefeated until the previous round, but they are still having a great campaign so far. After 8 rounds, they have 4 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. They are currently in 2nd place. They are the team with the highest number of national titles, with 33. They should use a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 formation, with Teodorczyk as their offensive reference.
Head To Head
Thursday will mark the first time these sides have met one another.
Stats
Anderlecht have lost 63% of their last eight away days in the Europa League.
Team News
Saint Etienne have quite the injury list to contend with, with defensive contingent Kevin Maicut, Florentin Pogba, Loic Perrin, Kevin Theophile-Catherine, Pierre Yves Polomat, and Cheikh M'Bengue all sidelined. Midfielders Fabian Lemoine, Henri Saivet, and Benjamin Corgnet are also injured.
Full back duo Andy Najar and Dennis Appiah ar einjured, as is young midfielder Youri Tielemans and winger Andy Kawaya.
