With both sides punching below their weight this season, the clash between Lille and Saint Etienne that kicks off the second part of the Ligue 1 campaign should be a nervy affair.

Les Dogues are going through one of the most difficult campaigns of late, and it is now clear they will not be playing in Europe next season.

Following some disappointing performances in the first half of the campaign, Lille occupy 12th position in the overall standings, sitting mere two points above the bottom three.

With that in mind, we can safely say that les Dogues are currently involved in the difficult relegation tussle, meaning that this is a must-win game for them.

Lille have already played one game in 2017, defeating minnows Excelsior (4-1) in the Coupe de France, but they face a much tougher task against Saint Etienne.

Head coach Patrick Collot still has a long list of unavailable footballers, and selection problems are making his life difficult at the moment.

The boss has revealed that Rio Mavuba and Ryan Mendes are definitely out, whereas Stopilla Sunzu, Yassine Benzia and Nicolas de Preville are rated doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Enyeama – Corchia, Basa, Soumaoro, Palmieri – Amadou, Sankhare – Rony Lopes, Benzia, Sliti – Eder.

Despite operating on a tight budget, Saint Etienne did well to stay relatively close to the top of the standings in recent years, although they face an uphill struggle to secure European qualification this term.

Les Verts finished the first part of the season in eighth position, after a slow finish, winning just one of their last five league fixtures.

They have since recorded a 4-1 triumph over Croix Football IC in the Coupe de France and are now preparing for the high-profile clash against Lille.

Saint Etienne lost last two league games on the road, but they have five wins in last eight away fixtures on all fronts, which can give them reason for optimism ahead of the trip to Stade Pierre Mauroy.

Les Verts do not have major selection worries at the moment, but Vincent Pajot faces a fitness test and Alexander Soderlund is out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Maisonnial – Malcuit, Catherine, Lacroix, M’Bengue – Veretout, Pajot, Lemoine – Hamouma, Roux, Monnet-Paquet.