Remaining on four matches without defeat (3 draws, 1 victory), AS Saint-Etienne has, a priori, not much to fear from Nîmes Olympique. Currently, the Crocos, 19th in Ligue 1 (11 pts), are in great difficulty and come to Geoffroy-Guichard with plenty of injured (7 holders on the flank, 11 players in total).
In Ligue 1, ASSE and Nîmes have crossed swords 68 times and if the Gardois have 17 victories (for 32 defeats and 19 draws), they have not won in the Cauldron since August 11, 1971. An eternity. Since his return to the top flight, Nîmes has never even beaten the Greens. But Saint-Etienne showed it at the start of the season by winning in Marseille, in this year of Covid and in empty stadiums, there can be big surprises.
Nîmes comes “to save (his) life” with Nolan Roux in front
Coach of Nîmes Olympique, Jérôme Arpinon does not come to Forez as a victim. This is in essence his message to Midi Libre: “We’re going to go there by wanting to produce a game. I don’t have much choice for the team composition, but we will perhaps modify a little, put a few players. fresh. Right now, all the teams are tired, stressed, down. These are the ones that have a little extra trick that will prevail. We go there to save our lives, like a little one who will have to find the resources in the face of a big one ”.
Nîmes does indeed deal with a suffering defense where Meling, Briançon and Landre are not there. They are also deprived of their summer find in the Cubas midfield but one player will necessarily be keen to shine in Saint-Etienne: Nolan Roux. In 388 minutes and 9 appearances this season, the native of Compiègne has not found the net once but Geoffroy-Guichard is the ideal ground to revive. So be careful …