Saint Etienne vs Rodez AF Prediction: Saint Etienne's nightmare is here

Saint Etienne will host Rodez in the round 2 of the Ligue 1 promotion playoff match. Rodez progressed in the previous round, knocking off Paris FC at home a few days ago while Saint Etienne will be playing their very first match in the playoff. 

Saint Etienne finished in 3rd spot with 65 points in the Ligue 2, automatically handing them a playoff spot. While Rodez AF finished 4th with 60 points and they are also eligible for the playoff games.

Saint Etienne will begin their fight for a return to the Ligue 1 by facing Rodez AF in the playoff tournament. They will have one shot at progression and they have to win this game at all costs. 

Saint Etienne had a good season in the Ligue 2, as they finished in 3rd place with 65 points, 3 points behind 2nd place Angers. They had a record of 19 wins, 8 draws and 11 defeats all season in the Ligue 2. Saint Etienne forward Ibrahim Sissoko scored 12 goals last season and Mathieu Cafaro registered 8 assists. Saint Etienne also managed 19 clean sheets throughout the season. 

Saint Etienne has struggled against Rodez AF in recent meetings, which calls for serious attention in the coming game. In both meetings last season, Saint Etienne played a draw and lost the other. The most recent meeting was the 1-1 draw at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard. Unfortunately, Saint Etienne do not have the luxury of a rematch and their only shot to progress is to win this game at all cost.

Rodez AF defeated Paris FC in the opening round of the Ligue 1 promotion games. It was a heated encounter between both clubs as the game ended 2-2 at full time, forcing the game straight to penalties. Paris were first to score in just 4 minutes before Bradley Danger equalized from the penalty spot in the 9’ minute to bring the game level. Killian Corredor got the second goal to put Rodez ahead in the 33’ minute. Rodez held onto the lead for a considerable amount of time, but they were stunned by a late equalizer in the 90+6’ minute to end the game all square. The game went onto penalties and Rodez AF won 3-2 in the end. According to stats, Rodez had 41% possession, 11 shots on target and 5 corner kicks.

Rodez AF will face a familiar opponent in the next round and there's some comfort in the fact that they had beaten Saint Etienne once this season.

Rodez and Saint Etienne have played 5 games against each other in the past. Rodez AF won 3 games while the remaining 2 games ended as a draw.

Rodez AF are looking quite dangerous ahead of this showdown. According to the h2h, Saint Etienne have never won against Rodez AF in all 5 meetings against each other and their most recent game ended as a draw. Rodez AF have every right to feel invincible against Saint Etienne, and maybe that's all they need to destroy them in this game. 

Match Facts:-

Rodez is unbeaten in the last 5 meetings.

Saint Etienne is without a clean sheet in the last 4 meetings.

Rodez is without a clean sheet in the last 3 meetings.

4/5 meetings ended with less than 2.5 goals. 

• 3 Way Total Under 3 Goals at 2.01 Odds
• Draw Full Time at 3.75 Odds
• Correct Score 1-1 at 6.50 Odds