Good evening French football fans! Another bumper weekend of Ligue 1 action begins tonight with a clash between struggling Valenciennes and in-form Saint-Etienne at the Stade du Hainaut. Both sides have very different priorities for the final few weeks of the campaign, but will be equally desperate to secure an important victory tonight.

Saint-Etienne are absolutely flying after a superb 2013 and are still fighting on three fronts. A big week for Les Verts begins in Northern France tonight, with two huge cup matches to follow in the next eight days. After a wonderful domestic run the next fortnight really is make or break for Christophe Galtier's emerging side.

Valenciennes are under a very different kind of pressure this evening as they look to halt an alarming slide down the table. Daniel Sanchez's side sit six points clear of the bottom three after taking just seven points from their last 12 matches.

The hosts have struggled for goals in recent weeks, thanks largely to the absence of experienced attacking duo Anthony Le Tallec and Gregory Puyol. The pressure to deliver in the final third will likely fall on 18-year-old prospect Opa Nguette once more as VAFC seek a win which will go a long way towards ensuring another season in the top flight.

There is a glimmer of hope for Valenciennes tonight in the form a series of defensive lapses in recent weeks from the visitors. Les Verts have conceded six in their last four matches, including successive 2-2 draws away from home.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! Confirmation for the home side that Le Tallec and Puyol continue to miss out, with Nguette preferred to the returning Vincent Aboubakar in attack. A full look at both starting XIs will follow in just a few moments.

VALENCIENNES: Penneteau, Mater, Rose, Angoua, Bong, Sanchez, Sankharé, Gomis, Melikson, Nguette, Danic

SAINT-ETIENNE: Ruffier, Clerc, Sall, Perrin, Brison, Cohade, Guilavogui, Bodmer, Hamouma, Aubameyang

The visitors continue without key striker Brandao tonight as he serves the last game of his two-match ban. Former Leeds United winger Max Gradel is also sidelined for ASSE after undergoing knee surgery earlier this week.

In Brandao's absence Saint-Etienne will move exciting forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang into the middle this evening. The 23-year-old is one of Europe's hottest prospects right now after a superb season and has another chance to impress tonight!

Expect to see a hungry, ambitious Saint-Etienne side this evening as each player fights to play in next week's Coupe de la Ligue final against Rennes at the Stade de France. Galtier's men also have a crucial Coupe de France quarter-final against Lorient on Tuesday, so competition for places is high for the visitors.

Recent history between the two sides also points towards Saint-Etienne, who have won their last three successive matches against Valenciennes. A fourth consecutive win over VAFC would see Les Verts move clear in third place as the fight for Champions League football with Lyon and Marseille hots up.

There is time before kickoff to hear from Saint-Etienne coach Galtier, who fully admitted ahead of tonight's clash that he faces a difficult balancing act to keep his side's impressive form going in three different competitions.

He told reporters at his pre-match press conference: "The priority is always the next match but I also have to take into account the fact that we're in action in the Coupe de France on Tuesday. There's positive pressure for us because there's the possibility of winning something. It's a plus to still be involved in three competitions and there are no priorities.

"I think freshness is important and so I'll need to share out the playing time in this series of five matches in a fortnight in order to always be able to name a team that's full of energy. A perfect season for me would be to win a trophy and finish in the top four. We're ambitious but we don't believe we're more beautiful than we are."

PREDICTION! As both sides head out at the Stade du Hainaut there is just time for to register a guess at tonight's outcome. Saint-Etienne are flying right now and with VAFC bottom of the form table I don't think they will be strong enough to end their fine run tonight. Aubameyang should find the net in a 2-0 win for Les Verts, to make it eight victories from 13 since the winter break.

Valenciennes get the match underway and aim to attack down the right wing, but Melikson is unable to meet a short pass and puts the ball out of play with his first touch. The visitors enjoy their first spell of possession deep in their own half, before long in search of Cohade, but the attacking midfielder is quickly flagged offside.

The home side show patience to build an attack in the opposition half, with Bong and Gomis both showing a neat turn of pace in possession. ASSE look untroubled at the back and eventually clear with distance down the right wing through Mollo.

Gomis gets a stern warning from the referee after bringing down Perrin with a late lunge on the halfway line. Saint-Etienne eventually break through Bodmer, who comes within inches of picking out the late run of Aubameyang in the penalty area.

Saint-Etienne are just starting to show their superiority by building possession in the final third, with Mater conceding a corner kick under pressure from Mollo. His delivery from the corner is a disappointment, with Rose getting a crucial clearance in at the near post.

Mollo uses his pace to escape Mater again, before finding Cohade with a precise pass inside. He switches the play quickly to Clerc, but the experienced full-back's final cross is a disappointment and allows the home side to clear their lines.

MISS! Form nothing N'Guette has spurned a golden opportunity for Valenciennes to take the lead. The 18-year-old was alone in the penalty area after a clever ball over the top from Melikson, but the forward is unable to meet a high spinning pass as his attempt at a header fails to make any contact. Saint-Etienne were caught napping at the back their but VAFC were unable to make a gilt-edged chance count.

At the other end Mater conceded a free kick after bringing down Mollo, who is causing the full-back problems with his pace constantly. He elects to take the set piece and curls in a dangerous cross, which is cleared by an important interception from Gomis.

CHANCE! Aubameyang spots the pressure under Mater early on and tries to take advantage by switching flanks, but after latching onto a poor backpass his shot from a very tight angle sails well wide of the neat post. In his current form that has to go down as a chance for the 23-year-old.

Valenciennes break to win a free kick deep in the final third, courtesy of a late tackle by Cohade. Danic is chosen to take and sends a curling cross towards the six-yard box with power. Ruffier is on hand to read the danger expertly and clear with distance by coming through a crowd of players to punch. You feel if the home side are to record a positive result this evening they must make more of those set-piece situations.

Guilavogui shows strength to hold off two VAFC midfielders and keep possession for the home side under pressure. His work launches a counter for the visitors, but Hamouma fires well over from 20 yards after leaning back under pressure to shoot.

VAFC midfielder Sankhare drives deep into the final third before winning a free kick after being brought down by Sall. The home side send numbers forward but Melikson's cross is a real disappointment and gives Saint-Etienne the chance to clear with relative ease.

Clerc makes a burst forward from full-back, driving into the final third before picking out Bodmer with a clever cutback. His shot from range lacks power and is blocked by Angoua to safety. Saint-Etienne need to up the intensity and create more chances before the break to take the lead.

Right on cue Mollo leaves Mater and Rose for dead with a terrific run down wing, but after doing everything right his finish lacks composure and flies over the near post.

SAVE! At the other end Valenciennes break in numbers and come close to breaking the deadlock. Danic shows Sall a clean pair of heels before attempting a curling shot from a tight angle. Ruffier sees the effort late and is at full stretch to tip a swirling ball over the crossbar.

A real worry for the visitors as their captain Perrin goes down clutching his knee after a tussle with N'Guette. The skipper eventually returns to his feet after an anxious few moments and looks alright to continue.

N'Guette shows superb balance to keep possession in the penalty area under pressure from two defenders. He eventually receives support from Danic, who works the ball into central midfield as Valenciennes enjoy a rare spell of possession in the final third without creating a clear-cut opportunity.

A scrappy period of play sees Danic disappoint with a poor corner kick, before Angoua's effort to keep the chance alive result in the giant defender conceding a cheap foul and allowing the visitors to clear their lines.

Bong bursts forward from full-back, showing pace and power to beat Clerc and send a dangerous cross towards the near post. Melikson kept the danger alive with a hooked pass in search of N'Guette, but Perin did just enough to head away. Saint-Etienne are struggling to keep possession and definitely missing the imposing presence of Brandao in attack.

The home side continue their promising recent spell by sending numbers forward, but a poor attempt to switch the play from Sanchez stops Bong and Danic taking advantage of space down the flank.

Hamouma looks to be clear on goal after beating the offside trap to meet Bodmer's clever pass, but after cutting inside to shoot the linesman eventually raises his flag after changing his mind. ASSE coach Galtier is furious with the late call and thinks his side should have been allowed the chance to continue a promising attack.

Mater looks to find Danic with a long diagonal, but Clerc reads the danger to head away from danger. Melikson is first to react on the follow-up and despite having time on the ball can only send a low shot straight into the chest of defender Perrin, who says strong to block. At the other end Aubameyang breaks with purpose to cut inside and send a curling effort narrowly wide of the far post.

YELLOW CARD! Hamouma receives the game's first caution after bringing down Angoua on the halfway line. Valenciennes launch the resulting free kick into the penalty area, but Saint-Etienne have numbers in defence and smash the ball clear with the final action before the break.

A very tight 45 minutes comes to a close, with both sides ultimately frustrated in their quest to break the deadlock. Valenciennes struggled early on but grew in confidence and looked the more assured side in possession just before the break.

Saint-Etienne fell away as the half went on but continue to carry a threat on the counter thanks to the pace of Mollo. Their only sight of goal has come from Aubameyang, who breaks with purpose and came within inches of scoring his 18th goal of the season with a curling strike before the interval.

Valenciennes can be encouraged by their strong finish to the first half, with Melikson and Danic showing a creative spark in the final third. What the home side badly need is to show composure and pick out a killer pass if they are to record a vital home victory in their fight against relegation.

Saint-Etienne are definitely struggling a touch without the direct threat of Brandao, who misses out again tonight through suspension. Aubameyang is playing in a central role tonight, but likes to drop off to occupy wide positions regularly. That leaves Galtier's men lacking a central figure at times, with Cohade and definitely struggling to pick out a pass in his advanced midfield role.

Expect to see changes from both sides early in the second half if the match remains goalless. Valenciennes have attacking options in Aboubakar and Dossevi, while Kevin Mayi may be introduced for the visitors.

Saint-Etienne get the second half underway on a difficult playing surface at the Stade du Hainaut. Valenciennes quickly win possession and attack through Sankhare, but his cross is wayward and flies beyond the penalty area for a goal kick.

SUBSTITUTION! The home side continue their bright start and force an effort on goal through Gomis, but his header falls well short of the near post. They have also made a change at the break, with Lala replacing Mater at full-back. That change is surely designed to combat the threat of Mollo, who looked dangerous breaking at pace throughout the first half.

Lala is immediately involved as he robs Mollo of possession by staying tight to the winger. Saint-Etienne eventually win the ball back and decide to exchange a series of passes in their own half to take the sting out of a promising start from VAFC.

Hamouma exchanges passes with Mollo down the left, but fails to continue his run into the penalty area as a promising attack comes to nothing for the visitors. ASSE coach Galtier is furious with his midfielder and wants to see more attacking intent from his side.

Melikson sends in an inviting cross for Valenciennes, but Perrin is well placed to head clear under little pressure. Both sides are simply not committing enough men forward to break the deadlock, relying on staying compact and breaking quickly. That is a particularly disappointing approach from Saint-Etienne at this stage, after all they are in contention for a Champions League place.

Sankhare wins the ball in the final third for Valenciennes, but elects to shoot with a lack of passing options available. His effort is instantly forgettable and flies out towards the corner flag.

Ruffier does well to prevent the home side winning a corner kick after reacting quickly to stop Sall's header falling behind his near post. Valenciennes are back on the attack in no time through Sanchez, but the Colombian international's ambitious drive from distance is well wide of the near post.

Valenciennes continue to pile on the pressure as Danic's shot is deflected just wide of the target by a late block from Clerc. Saint-Etienne regroup to clear the following corner but are definitely struggling to keep possession anywhere on the pitch early in the second half.

Saint-Etienne break through Aubameyang and win a corner kick on the far side, but Mollo's delivery is poor and fails to beat the first defender.

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION: Galtier has decided he has seen enough and makes a double change for the visitors. Bodmer and Mollo are replaced by Ghoulam and Moulin as Saint-Etinne look to show some impetus in attack to stay clear in third place.

Danic wins a free kick just outside the penalty area and elects to take himself, but his curling effort falls a few yards wide of Ruffier's near post. Saint-Etienne try to counter quickly at the other end through Aubameyang but once again the final ball towards the right wing is well below par.

YELLOW CARD! Aubameyang receives a caution after bringing down Danic on the wing. His manager is livid with the decision and protests furiously, but that was an ill-advised lunge from the forward regardless of contact. From the resulting free-kick Guilavogui is able to clear the far post towards Cohade, who once again loses possession with a poor attempted pass.

The 23-year-old is quickly involved again, but this time for the right reasons to win a corner after driving towards the touchline. Ghoulam swings in a cross at the second time of asking, but his effort sent towards the neat post is hammered away by Lala.

SUBSTITUTION: Valenciennes make their first change of the night to bring on fresh legs in attack. Melikson is replaced by Aboubakar, who is back from a thigh injury to provide a more physical threat in the final third.

Saint-Etienne concede another needless free kick just outside the penalty area, this time for a late lunge by Brison. Danic's cross flies beyond a packed penalty area towards Sankhare, who just about keeps the ball in play on the opposite flank. He attempts to exchange passes with Aboubakar, but Clerc uses his experience to read the danger and smash clear.

SUBSTITUTION: The visitors make their final change of the night to introduce Kevin Mayi, with the young forward replaced Hamouma. One final throw of the dice from Galtier in a bid to force his struggling side into action.

Aubameyang has moved to a familiar position on the right wing following that change, with Mayi playing through the middle. Saint-Etienne hammer the ball towards the substitute, but he loses out in an aerial duel with Rose and the home side clear under little pressure from the follow-up.

YELLOW CARD! Lemoine becomes the latest player to receive a yellow card for a late tackle, much to the continued anger of Les Verts coach Galiter. His loud shouts towards the official finally provoke a response as the referee heads towards the touchline and warns him to be quiet.

ASSE break down the right through Aubameyang, who uses pace and power to beat his marker and cross into penalty area. He has just one player to aim for in Mayi, who is unable to beat Rose and make contact at the near post. Just five minutes now remain for either side to find a late winner.

In the last 10 minutes Saint-Etienne have just begun to control possession, but has their new-found purpose come too late? Lala does brilliantly for Valenciennes to repel a break down the wing for Les Verts as he shields a hopeful cross towards Lemoine out of play for a goal kick.

Lemoine desperately appeals for a free kick just outside the box after going down under a challenge from Lala. His appeals are waved away by the official, much to the relief of Valenciennes who for the first time tonight look a little stretched in defence.

Saint-Etienne are enjoying a prolonged spell of possession in the opposition half, but are still unable to break down a disciplined Valenciennes defence. Aubameyang is next to appeal for a foul against Bong, but once again the visitors are left disappointed by the decision of the referee.

CHANCE! Aboubakar has just spurned a glorious late chance to claim all three points for Valenciennes. The ball fell kindly for the striker following Sall's poor headed clearance, but with time to pick his spot the substitute hammered a volley well wide of the near post.

The visitors get a final chance to cross into the penalty area through Aubameyang, but his first touch is a poor one and allows Sanchez to rob possession and smash clear. Valenciennes launch one last break through Danic, but his cross misses Aboubakar and sails aimlessly wide to sum up a frustrating night for both sides.

A tight match comes to a close with both sides unable to break the deadlock. Saint-Etienne were thoroughly disappointing throughout and will now fall to fourth in Ligue 1 if Lyon win later this weekend.

Valenciennes will perhaps feel they should have won this match after shading possession and territory in the second half. Sanchez's side now have 37 points and are in all likelihood one victory away from securing another season in the French top-flight.

That just about brings our coverage of the first Ligue 1 clash of the weekend to a close. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to touch base again at any point this weekend for comprehensive coverage of football across the continent. Goodnight!