Ligue 1 strugglers Saint-Etienne and Auxerre lock horns at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Saturday evening.
As two of the sides who came up from Ligue 2 last season, neither have made wholly convincing starts, and this has all the hallmarks of an early-season relegation six-pointer.
Match preview
© Imago
Still reeling from the 8-0 thrashing handed to them by Nice two weeks ago, Saint-Etienne responded by coming from two goals down to draw away at Nantes last time out.
After their previous two away games had ended in 8-0 and 4-0 defeats, going two down before the interval would have had Les Verts wincing at the prospect of another battering, but their players showed heart to fight back.
However, the two heavy defeats earlier in the season mean, despite that well-earned point, ASSE remain in the automatic relegation places on goal difference heading into the weekend.
Only Angers are below Olivier Dall'Oglio's side, who are seeking just a second win of the season, with their only success so far coming against a Lille side that have just beaten Real Madrid in the Champions League.
St Etienne's recent record against Auxerre is a peculiar one, as they have lost just one of the last 13 meetings at home, coming back in 2006, but they only have one win in their last 13 across all venues.
Many of the past head-to-heads have ended level, and a draw for Auxerre would be very well received given the start to the season they have made on their travels.
Christophe Pelissier's side have lost all three away games so far this season, conceding eight goals in the process, with their home record the only thing keeping them out of trouble at present.
An opening day win over Nice, and a very impressive 3-0 victory over Brest last weekend is where Auxerre's six points have come from, and Pelissier will be glad to have seen his side end a 14-game wait for a clean sheet in that success over the Champions League participants.
Auxerre start the weekend two points ahead of St Etienne, after ending last season nine clear of their upcoming opponents as they ran away with the Ligue 2 title.
A 5-2 victory over ASSE early in the campaign helped them stamp their authority on the division, but Les Verts responded by winning 1-0 here in the reverse fixture back in March.
Team News
© Imago
After a spirited fightback, Dall'Oglio is likely to stick with the players that got them out of a hole away at Nantes last week.
Ibrahim Sissoko got both goals in his first start since August, and is set to keep his place, with injury prone Ibrahima Wadji still sidelined.
The hosts are without a number of defenders, with Pierre Cornud, Anthony Briancon and Yvann Macon all unavailable, while midfielder Thomas Monconduit is set to remain out until December.
Auxerre's excellent 3-0 win a week ago means Pelissier is likely to keep his side unchanged, with no new injury issues to report of.
Lasso Coulibaly is out for the season with a knee injury, but Ange Loic N'Gatta and Ousoumane Camara could both return after the international break.
Striker Ado Onaiwu scored a hat trick in the 5-2 win over St Etienne last season, and he has one goal and one red card in his two away matches for Auxerre so far this season.
Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Larsonneur; Appiah, Batubinsika, Nade, Petrol; Moueffek, Ekwah, Amougou; Old, Sissoko, Davitashvili
Auxerre possible starting lineup:
Leon; Hoever, Diomande, Jubal, Osho, Akpa; Owusu, Hamed Traore, Danois; Sinayoko, Onaiwu
We say: Saint-Etienne 0-0 Auxerre
Draws have been commonplace in meetings between these two sides, and as two of Ligue 1's weaker outfits, an underwhelming clash could be on the cards.
Auxerre did thrash Brest 3-0 last weekend, but have not been able replicate any sort of form on the road, while the hosts are struggling to adjust to life back at the top, and look set to remain in the relegation places.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
