Metz vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Metz should have their relegation mathematically confirmed this weekend as they take on a faltering Monaco side at Stade Saint-Symphorien.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – beIN Sports
How to watch online: UK – Ligue 1+ / US – beIN Sports Connect
Metz preview: Relegation-bound
Metz have struggled throughout this campaign and they now sit 14 points adrift of outright safety with 12 points to play for - nine points behind Auxerre in the end of season relegation playoff place.
The hosts did show some fight last weekend as they shared a thrilling 4-4 draw with Le Havre at Stade Oceane, fighting back on four separate occasions to earn what does appear to be a fairly pointless point.
Monaco preview: Slight falter
They now face a Monaco side that, coached by former Royale Union Saint-Gilloise boss Sebastian Pocognoli, have been very good in recent months but the Monegasque are now in very average form of late with a three-match winless run of form.
Monaco, after a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Paris FC, have now shared back-to-back 2-2 draws against Auxerre and then Toulouse as they battle for a top four finish with potential UEFA Champions League qualification on the cards.
Metz team news: Defensive absentees
Former Birmingham City and Brentford defender Maxime Colin remains an injury absentee, while fellow defender Koffi Franck Koauo is missing through suspension, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sy; Toure, Sane, Yegbe, Mboula; Stambouli, Deminguet; Sarr, Hein, Tsitaishvili; Kvilitaia
Unavailable: Koauo (Suspended), Colin (Injured), Mangondo (Injured)
Questionable: Toure (Injured), Traore (Injured), Munongo (Injured), Gbamin (Injured)
Monaco team news: A few issues
Caio Henrique is working his way back from a thigh injury but the likes of Vanderson, Kassoum Ouattara and Stanis Idumbo remain sidelined for the visitors.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Hradecky; Teze, Kehrer, Faes, Mawissa; Camara, Zakaria; Akliouche, Ansu Fati, Adingra; Balogun
Unavailable: Salisu (Injured), Ouattara (Injured), Vanderson (Injured), Stanis Idumbo (Injured), Minamino (Injured)
Questionable: Caio Henrique (Fitness)
Metz vs Monaco prediction
Monaco, while their run can be framed as three without a victory, have now succumbed to just three defeats in their last 15 matches across all competitions. Metz have been destined for the drop throughout this campaign and that should be confirmed on Saturday night with a fairly comfortable away win to be expected for this one this weekend.
Metz vs Monaco tip: Monaco to win -1 handicap
