Saint-Étienne vs Nice – News and Probable Lineups

The first leg of the Ligue 1 promotion/relegation playoff final is set to take place at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on Tuesday, as Saint-Etienne, seeking top-flight status, host Nice.

Saint-Etienne qualified for this stage by defeating Rodez in a penalty shootout during the playoff semi-finals, while Nice ended the Ligue 1 season in 16th place.

Match overview

Once a prominent member of Ligue 1, appearing every season from 2004-05 to 2021-22, Saint-Etienne has struggled in the current decade and has had three out of the last four seasons in Ligue 2.

Nevertheless, after a short-lived return to the top flight, which was followed by immediate relegation in the 2024-25 season, Philippe Montanier’s squad has a chance for promotion, sitting in third place in the Ligue 2 standings.

Les Verts, finishing two points behind Le Mans and seven behind champions Troyes, skipped the playoff semi-finals due to their bronze medal finish, allowing ample recovery before facing a Rodez AF team that edged past Red Star 3-2 just three days before.

After 90 minutes of play, the scores remained level between Saint-Etienne and Rodez, but Montanier’s team triumphed in a tense penalty shootout where 20 penalties were taken, resulting in 13 converted – seven for Les Verts and six for the vanquished semi-finalists.

Saint-Etienne did not score during normal time in the semi-final but concluded the regular season with the second-best offensive stats (39 goals) and points tally (35) at home, securing victories in six of their last eight matches.

Nice, who last found themselves in Ligue 2 during the 2001-02 season, have changed significantly since then, becoming regular contenders for European spots, finishing fifth or above in three of the last five campaigns.

Initially, it looked like a similar charge towards the continental competition was possible this season, as Nice won five out of their opening ten fixtures. However, they managed only two victories in the subsequent 24 matches, marking a disappointing downturn.

The situation was compounded by instability regarding ownership, as Manchester United stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been attempting to sell the club since the close of the 2024-25 season without finding a buyer. While Nice managed to avoid automatic relegation, they finished lower than they have since ending up in 17th in 2013-14.

Claude Puel’s squad could have redeemed a dismal campaign with a Coupe de França triumph, but they faced a heavy 3-1 defeat to Lens in the final, extending their winless streak to five matches across all competitions.

Conversely, Nice previously defeated Saint-Etienne in the fifth round of the French Cup, with a 2-1 scoreline, which was their fifth consecutive victory against the hosts, having embarrassed them 8-0 in the top flight as recently as September 2024.

Team News

Saint-Etienne will be without at least three players due to injuries following their semi-final win over Rodez, with Julien Le Cardinal, Gauthier Larsonneur – both of whom had returned from injury in time for the game – and Luan Gadegbeku all being forced to exit the match.

Nevertheless, goalkeeper Larsonneur may be substituted for Brice Maubleu, who saved four penalties in the semi-final shootout, while Mickael Nade serves as a viable replacement for Le Cardinal at centre-back.

Mahmoud Jaber (surgery), Florian Tardieu (calf), Paul Eymard (foot), and Nadir El Jamali (knee) will not feature, but midfielder Augustine Boakye is set to return after serving a yellow-card suspension.

On the other hand, Nice will be missing seven-goal forward Elye Wahi, who is sidelined due to a high number of bookings.

Kevin Carlos is likely to step in for Wahi in Puel’s 3-4-3 formation, which will also see the 42-year-old captain Dante in the defensive line.

Meanwhile, fellow centre-backs Youssouf Ndayishimiye (muscle) and Moise Bombito (leg) are both ruled out, along with teenage midfielder Everton who has an ankle issue.

Saint-Etienne probable starting XI:

Maubleu; Pedro, Nade, Bernauer, Old; Moueffek, Kante; Cardona, Davitashvili, Duffus; Stassin

Nice probable starting XI:

Diouf; Well, Dante, Mendy; Clauss, Coulibaly, Boudaoui, Bard; Cho, Carlos, Diop

Having struggled in terms of energy and morale after their unsuccessful Coupe de França campaign, Nice are not expected to have the upper hand at a venue where Saint-Etienne has only suffered four defeats throughout the season.

However, Puel’s defensive strategy could prove effective in frustrating the hosts, allowing Les Aiglons to potentially secure a draw and set themselves up well for the second leg at the Allianz Riviera on May 29.

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