Saint Etienne – Annecy

Saint‑Étienne head into the clash at home brimming with confidence, perched atop the table on 15 points after five wins and a single loss, boasting a hefty 17‑6 goal difference. Their visitors, Annecy, sit fifth with ten points from three victories, one draw and two defeats, and a modest +1 margin on the scoresheet. The gap in both points and firepower suggests the hosts have the edge, yet Annecy’s tighter defensive record could make the encounter tighter than the numbers imply. If Saint‑Étienne can maintain their winning rhythm, they look set to widen the gap at the summit, while Annecy will need a result to keep their top‑five aspirations alive.