Only two points separated FC Lausanne-Sport from FC St. Gallen in the final table of the 2020/21 season, who ended up in sixth and seventh place. While the Vaudois might have been satisfied with this result, the disappointment was even greater for the Espen, who had won the vice-championship the year before. Now the FCSG wants to attack again in the new season.
However, the odds are against the Green-Whites on the first day of the match between Lausanne and St. Gallen. Last season, the four duels between Lausanne and St. Gallen were always hotly contested. A total of 17 goals were scored in all four games, with the last encounter at the Stade de la Tuilière certainly being a real highlight. In the end, the Vaudois prevailed 4:3.
In the first duel of the 2021/22 season, we expect a little offensive fireworks between the two opponents. Accordingly, the betting on Lausanne against St. Gallen is hot for more than 2.5 goals.
Prediction & Live Odds for Lausanne vs. St. Gallen
When it comes to Lausanne vs St. Gallen, the forecast has to take into account that both teams are now facing their first competitive match of the new season. Although both teams achieved strong results in preparation – Lausanne beat Nice 3-0 and St. Gallen defeated Bilbao 2-1 – it remains to be seen where exactly the table neighbours in the 2020/21 final standings currently stand.
It is striking that both teams were very goal-happy during the preparation. Since a total of 17 goals were scored in the four encounters between the two rivals last season, the greatest value lies in betting that there will again be at least three goals. For OVER 2.5 goals, there are betting odds of 1.70.
Lausanne – Statistics & current form
FC Lausanne-Sport have already won the national championship in Switzerland seven times. In addition, there are nine overall victories in the Swiss Cup. This puts the Bleu et Blanc in sixth place in the eternal Super League table, from which, however, they were recently relegated twice in 2014 and 2018.
As a promoted team, they finished the last season in sixth place in the final table with a comfortable eight-point lead over the barrage. In the end, the Vaudois were even closer to a place in the Conference League qualifiers than to direct relegation.
Strong results in the high-scoring preparation
Nevertheless, the contract with promotion coach Giorgio Contini was not renewed, and he quickly signed on with Grasshopper Club Zurich. Meanwhile, 38-year-old Ilija Borenovic was introduced as the new coach of Lausanne-Sport, under whom the good work of his predecessor is now to be continued.
The most recent test matches were impressive. The team from Lac Léman remained unbeaten in all five matches during the preparation (four wins, one draw) and scored a total of 15 goals – an average of three goals per match. A particular highlight was certainly the 3-0 win at OGC Nice.
An average age of just 24
The Vaudois are therefore well prepared for the 2021/22 season, for which the team has been greatly rejuvenated. Eleven newcomers have been introduced so far. None of them is older than 22. This means that the average age of the current 24-man squad is just 22.6 years.
It will be exciting to see whether this youthful ease can continue the strong performances of the preparation in competitive matches.
Expected line-up of Lausanne:
Diaw – Tsongui – Jenz – Monteiro – Zohouri – Bares – Kapo – Suzuki – Amdouni – Mahou – Kingombe
St. Gallen – Statistics & current form
FC St. Gallen is considered the oldest football club in mainland Europe. The Espen were able to celebrate the Swiss championship twice in 1904 and 2000. They also won the Swiss Cup in 1969.
By a hair’s breadth, another title could have been added this year. In the 2021 Cup final, however, the team from eastern Switzerland lost 3-1 to FC Lucerne on 24 May 2021, which put quite a damper on the season in the end.
Zeidler may continue despite weak season
The vice-championship in the summer of 2020 was followed by only seventh place in the final table despite a strong final spurt with seven of nine possible points from the last three league games.
It was all the more surprising that German coach Peter Zeidler remained in charge following the lost Cup final.
Under the 58-year-old, who still has a contract with the Green-Whites until 2025, things are set to go higher again for the new season, for which a lot of effort was made on the transfer market. To compensate for the notable departures of Muheim, Quintillà and Letard, the Espen signed six new players.
Mixed results in preparation
Now it’s a matter of showing that the eastern Swiss’ competitiveness has increased again for the new season. In any case, there were very mixed results in the preparation. A fortnight ago, for example, the Green-Whites lost 3-0 to VfB Stuttgart without a chance, before they celebrated a surprising 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao last Saturday.
Looking at the ten goals from the four preparation games, the FCSG should at least be able to score at the Stade de la Tuilière. Against this backdrop, we see the greatest value in betting on Lausanne against St. Gallen to score more than 2.5 goals in this opening match.
Probable line-up of St. Gallen:
Ati – Kempter – Stergiou – Fazliji – Cabral – Stillhart – Diakité – Ruiz – Münst – Traorè – Guellemenot