Together with three more sides, Bordeaux and Saint Etienne sit tied on 26 points, which should guarantee us a closely-fought encounter at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Les Girondins raised quite a few eyebrows by not signing a single player in the summer transfer window despite ensuring Europa League football through league finish.

However, Francois Gillot’s side soon proved there was no cause for concern as they qualified to the knockout stages from the top of their group, while climbing to 6th in Ligue 1.

Having failed to win any of their last three league fixtures, les Girondins will give their best to return to winning ways against Saint Etienne, and they are 2.15 (23/20) with Ladbrokes to do so.

Bordeaux are still unbeaten at home this season and have won four of last five games at Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Ludovic Obraniak and Nicolas Maurice-Belay remain sidelined, but there are no other worries for boss Francois Gillot.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Carrasso – Mariano, Planus, Henrique, Tremoulinas – Sertic, Sane – Plasil, Jussie, Ben Khalfallah – Gouffran.

Saint Etienne have been thoroughly impressive this season, but they could have really done without defeat to Lyon in Derby du Rhone.

Les Verts thus ended their 13-match unbeaten run in all competitions and slipped to fourth place in the standings, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind staying there after this match.

Christophe Galtier’s side have no reason to fear the trip to Stade Chaban-Delmas, as they are unbeaten in last eight away games, and with that in mind, maybe there is some value in odds of 3.30 (23/10) offered at BetVictor on draw.

Saint Etienne only need one point to remain in fourth place and they hope the best defence in the league will help them avoid defeat in Bordeaux.

Alejandro Alonso misses out through suspension, while starlet Kurt Zouma should return to the starting line-up. Ismael Diomande, Brandao, Banel Nicolita and Jean-Pascal Mignot remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Ruffier – Clerc, Zouma, Perrin, Ghoulam – Clement, Lemoine, Cohade – Hamouma, Aubameyang, Gradel.