European - Best Bet

Lille and St Etienne are 2nd and 4th in Ligue 1 after the opening eight games, and the stats suggest that Lille are fully worth that position - a leap from avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth last season. Indeed they are already almost half way to last seasons points haul.

With shot data reading 107-60 in their favour, and on target efforts showing at 40-20 it's hard to argue with their performances, and they have been driven on by an impressive season from Nicolas Pepe. They are a perfect four from four at home thus far.

They are only a point ahead of St Etienne, but Jean-Louis Gasset's side are not quite so impressive on the data - 89-101 in the shot totals, and 30-35 in on-target efforts. They have taken their chances well of course - winning their last three, but you can't get away from just how impressive Lille look.

The hosts won 3-0 against Marseille for instance last time out, and should be trusted at even money against St Etienne.

1pt Lille to beat St Etienne at even.

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