Form and context

Saint Etienne sit top of Ligue 2 with 22 points from nine games and have lost only once this season, at Dunkerque. Nantes are 15th in one report and 14th in another, on eight points after nine matches, and come into this one off a 2-3 home defeat to Dunkerque. The sources also differ on kick-off time, listing 20h45 and 20h local, so the scheduled 18:00 UTC start is the reference here.

Team news

• Saint Etienne: Ian Cathro has three confirmed absences: goalkeeper Gautier Larsonneur (knee), defender Chico Lamba and left-back Lassana Traore. Julien Le Cardinal, Tamar Svetlin and Paul Eymard are all listed as uncertain, with Le Cardinal yet to return to collective training. Mamour Ndiaye is set to start in goal again.
• Nantes: Mathieu Cafaro is back and in contention to start at Saint Etienne. Tabibou is ill and likely to miss the trip, while Tyler Tati and Alexis Mirbach remain out. Doucoure has resumed but is expected to be short of a place in the squad this weekend.

What the numbers say

• Saint Etienne have scored 22 league goals, five more than any other team, and conceded eight, the third best record in the division.
• Nantes have conceded 16 goals, the third worst defensive record in Ligue 2.
• Saint Etienne's last five in all competitions: 1-0 win at Red Star, 2-0 win over Rodez, 2-2 at Metz, 1-2 loss at Dunkerque, 3-1 win over Montpellier.
• Nantes' last five in all competitions: 2-3 loss to Dunkerque, 0-0 with Reims, 2-1 win at Boulogne, 0-1 loss at Sochaux, 1-0 win over Nancy. The last six head-to-head meetings produced one Nantes win and five draws.

Our view

Saint Etienne have the stronger league record and a clear edge in attack, while Nantes are still searching for consistency and are without several players. The main question for the hosts is a defence missing Larsonneur and possibly Le Cardinal, which could keep Nantes in the game.

Most likely outcome: home win - the leaders' scoring rate and Nantes' poor defensive numbers point that way.