Dijon to carry on momentum in St. Etienne opener
Relegation playoff survivors Dijon play host to a St. Etienne side coming off the back of a very promising 2019/20 campaign, the opportunity presents itself for both sides to prove their worth after a summer of change. The has been a busy one for these teams who will have quite different aims and expectations of the season to come. Fourth place faces 18th place from last term but it will not be straightforward for the visitors with Dijon having built some momentum in a fantastic escape from relegation a matter of months ago.
Recent form
The Greens have a very good history in this matchup, having won all eight of their Ligue 1 meetings. DFCO are traditionally slow starters having lost three of their last four opening day encounters and only kept four clean sheets across their 19 home matches in 2018/19. A tight affair could be in fruition, St. Etienne’s last four opening games were decided by a solitary goal. Dijon could pounce late on though with a third of the Greens’ away goals conceded last term coming beyond the 75th minute.
The great escape
Dijon’s excellent recovery at the back end of last season will mean the supporters can come into this one with plenty of optimism. They drew 1-1 in the first leg away to Lens and won the home leg convincingly 3-1 to save themselves comfortably 4-2 on aggregate. Three wins, a draw and defeat to Paris Saint-Germain saw DFCO claw themselves out of the confirmed relegation places in their last five Ligue 1 fixtures, and so come into this match with the wind in their sails. Stephane Jobard has been able to bolster the squad over the summer, two eye-catching moves being the signatures of Didier Ndong and Bruno Ecuele Manga, two experienced Gabon internationals, who will be able to hit the ground running in this encounter.
St. Etienne’s business
A strong 2018/19 season that could have seen them push for a Champions League spot demonstrated the quality of this side and coupled with some excellent acquisitions they will be confident of challenging once more. Denis Bouanga and Ryad Boudebouz from Nimes and Real Betis look to be the most imposing additions, they have also maintained the solid central defensive partnership of William Saliba and one club man Loic Perrin. Getting Saliba back on a season-long loan having been bought by Arsenal for £30million.
Dijon will be ugly and hard to beat and carry on their momentum by getting something from this game. The first match of the season can be a leveller and that will work in the hosts’ favour on Saturday evening.
Dijon – St. Etienne Betting Tip
Double Chance Dijon to Win or Draw with 888sport at odds of 3/4.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
A narrow 2-1 win for St. Etienne ruled out all outcomes of this bet.