Bordeaux play host to Saint-Etienne on Wednesday evening looking to close the gap to one point to their opponents, who sit just above the relegation zone in the Ligue 1 standings.
However, depending on how other results go, Saint-Etienne could move four points clear of safety, the game at Stade Matmut-Atlantique having the potential to be pivotal in the context of the season.
Match preview
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On the back of collecting four points from fixtures against Lille and Metz, Bordeaux were full of confidence heading into their trip to Lyon at the weekend.
That lasted less than 45 minutes. Lyon scored three times in either half to cruise to a 6-1 victory, Bordeaux's consolation goal coming from the penalty spot five minutes from time.
The end result is David Guion's team now sitting four points adrift of safety with six matches remaining, heaping huge pressure on the upcoming fixture.
Even with their run-in being more favourable than some of their rivals, Bordeaux need to take advantage of facing the teams around them, and Guion will be encouraged that seven points have been collected from their last five fixtures.
However, Bordeaux are yet to keep a clean sheet at home this campaign, something which will encourage a Saint-Etienne side who have had few issues with finding the back of the net of late.
While nine strikes have come from four outings, it was more important that two came in the last fixture against Brest, both coming from Mahdi Camara as Saint-Etienne came from behind to post a 2-1 win.
Since the struggles at the turn of the year, Saint-Etienne have recorded 18 points from their last 11 fixtures, although Pascal Dupraz will be wary of the matches which follow Wednesday's game.
The Greens face Monaco, Rennes and Nice are in succession, a harsh run and one which highlights the importance of taking points off their hosts later this week.
Five of Saint-Etienne's last six goals have been scored in the first half of matches, while they are on a three-match winless streak away from home.
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Team News
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Enock Kwateng is expected to be one of several Bordeaux changes for this contest, the defender having now served his one-game ban.
The versatile Remi Oudin should also be restored to the team, potentially in a creative role, while Sekou Mara could feature in attack.
Timothee Pembele has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury.
Barring any further injury issues, Dupraz may be prepared to stick with the Saint-Etienne team which got the better of Brest.
While Arnaud Nordin may potentially be drafted into the attack, the likes of Wahbi Khazri and Ryad Boudebouz should retain their places.
Bordeaux possible starting lineup:
Poussin; Kwateng, Ahmedhodzic, Mangas; Lacoux, Onana, Guilavogui, Mensah; Oudin; Mara, Hwang
Saint-Etienne possible starting lineup:
Bernardoni; Bakayoko, Mangala, Nade; Thioub, Camara, Gourna-Douath, Silva; Boudebouz, Khazri, Bouanga
We say: Bordeaux 1-1 Saint-Etienne
While Bordeaux know the importance of winning this fixture, they will also recognise that it is a must-not-lose. The same can be said of Saint-Etienne, and it would come as no surprise to anyone if this fixture ended in a low-scoring draw.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Bordeaux win with a probability of 46.5%. A win for Saint-Etienne had a probability of 28.13% and a draw had a probability of 25.4%.
The most likely scoreline for a Bordeaux win was 1-0 with a probability of 10.61%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (9.26%) and 2-0 (8.15%). The likeliest Saint-Etienne win was 0-1 (7.85%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.06%). The actual scoreline of 2-2 was predicted with a 5.3% likelihood. Our team at Sports Mole correctly predicted a draw in this match.
