Preview: Metz vs. Strasbourg - prediction, team news, lineups

Metz take on Strasbourg in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the hosts aiming to move into fifth position in the table with a victory.

Strasbourg, meanwhile, are still only six points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Metz have punched above their weight all season, especially given the long-term injury sustained by top goalscorer Ibrahima Niane early in the season, but were disappointing in a 1-0 loss to Saint-Etienne last weekend.

Frederic Antonetti's side rarely concede many goals, with only the top three sides in the division letting in fewer so far this season, but at times their lack of potency without Niane in attack can be stark.

Indeed, Metz failed to muster a single shot in target in response to John Boye's 14th-minute own goal despite having 51% possession across the 90 minutes.

However, especially given the 2-1 win at Amiens in the French Cup in midweek, there is still plenty to play for this season for one of the league's prime over-achievers.

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Strasbourg, meanwhile, remain embroiled in a relegation battle having failed to win any of their last four league games.

Thierry Laurey's side were never likely to gain a positive result at title contenders Lyon last weekend, but they were given a mountain to climb after Adrien Thomasson's 14th-minute red card.

Memphis Depay and Toko Ekambi duly both struck prior to the half-time interval to all but kill the game, with Depay wrapping things up by scoring his second in the 68th minute to secure a 3-0 win for Rudi Garcia's side.

To make matters worse for Strasbourg, they were dumped out of the French Cup in a 2-0 defeat at home to Montpellier in midweek, although at least Laurey can concentrate all of his resources towards remaining in Ligue 1 between now and the end of the campaign.

Metz Ligue 1 form: DWWWDL
Metz form (all competitions): WWWDLW

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form: WWDLDL
Strasbourg form (all competitions): WDLDLL

Team News

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Niane is unlikely to play again this season due to his ACL injury, with Manuel Cabit certainly ruled out for the season with a leg injury.

Vincent Pajot, Opa Nguette and Kevin N'Doram have all missed recent weeks with more minor issues, but may have to be eased back into things by Antonetti.

Strasbourg are likely to travel without Matz Sels, Lebo Mothiba and Mohamed Simakan due to injury.

Thomasson is suspended for the trip to Metz after his dismissal against Lyon.

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Bronn, Kouyate, Boye; Centonze, Maiga, Sarr, Udol; Boulaya; Ambrose, Goncalves

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Kawashima; Caci, Mitrovic, Djiku, Carole; Prcic, Aholou; Waris, Bellegarde, Zohi; Diallo

We say: Metz 1-0 Strasbourg

We can envisage Metz getting back to winning ways against a Strasbourg side struggling for momentum at the moment.

The hosts' defence is generally resolute, so if they can score first they should have enough for a relatively comfortable victory.