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Saint-Etienne face off with Metz in what promises to be a fascinating Ligue 1 game on Sunday afternoon.
Saint-Etienne currently sit in 16th place, and aren’t quite out of danger yet. Metz, meanwhile, are flying high in sixth place.
Metz will be hoping to continue their rise up the table, while Saint-Etienne desperately need to pick up a victory.
Saint-Etienne vs Metz Head-to-Head
After a horrific slide saw them win just one game in 18, Saint-Etienne broke their duck on 31 January by beating Nice.
The win was huge for Claude Puel’s side, and they were able to follow that with a decent 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Nantes on Wednesday.
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However, Saint-Etienne remain one of Ligue 1’s weakest sides in front of goal. With just 22 goals scored during this campaign. Only the bottom two sides have scored less.
Metz, meanwhile, have gone from strength to strength during this season. They lost their opening three games, but have only lost a further three in the 20 games that have followed.
They’re on a six-game unbeaten run, with a three-match winning streak ending with a draw against Montpellier on Wednesday.
Frederic Antonetti’s side have built their success on a rock-solid defence. With 21 goals conceded, they have the fourth-best defence in Ligue 1 behind only Paris St. Germain, Lyon and Lille.
The last time these sides faced off was in October. Metz picked up a comfortable 2-0 win on that occasion. In fact, Metz have not lost to Saint-Etienne since 2017.
Saint-Etienne form guide: L-L-L-W-D
Metz form guide: D-W-W-W-D
Saint-Etienne vs Metz Team News
Saint-Etienne
Claude Puel has a number of injuries to deal with going into this game. Ryad Boudebouz, Alpha Sissoko and Yvann Macon remain sidelined with issues.
Panagiotis Retsos may take a spot on the bench for this match, while Gabriel Silva is still recovering from COVID-19.
Injured: Ryad Boudebouz, Alpha Sissoko, Yvann Macon
Doubful: Panagiotis Retsos, Gabriel Silva
Suspended: None
Metz
Metz also have a number of injury problems right now. Vincent Pajot, Opa Nguette, Ibrahima Niane and Manuel Cabit are sidelined. Meanwhile, Kevin N’Doram is a doubt due to a toe injury.
Injured: Vincent Pajot, Opa Nguette, Ibrahima Niane, Manuel Cabit
Doubtful: Kevin N’Doram
Suspended: None
Saint-Etienne vs Metz Predicted XI
Saint-Etienne predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Jessy Moulin, Mathieu Debuchy, Harold Moukoudi, Pape Cisse, Miguel Trauco, Yvan Neyou, Mahdi Camara, Arnaud Nordin, Denis Bouanga, Adil Aouchiche, Charles Abi
Metz predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Alexandre Oukidja, Dylan Bronn, Kiki Kouyate, John Boye, Fabien Centonze, Victorien Angban, Pape Sarr, Matthieu Udol, Farid Boulaya, Aaron Leya Iseka, Vagner Dias
Saint-Etienne vs Metz Prediction
Despite Saint-Etienne’s recent upturn in form, it’s hard to see them having any success here. They simply don’t seem clinical enough in front of goal to break down a tough defence like Metz’s.
On the flip side, with players like Boulaya, Iseka and Vagner, the visitors almost certainly have the quality to score the goals they need to pick up a win.
Prediction: Saint-Etienne 0-2 Metz
