Metz vs Nice Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Following their promotion to the top-flight, Metz have endured a difficult start to life back in Ligue 1 but they are finding form as they face Nice 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 pass / US – beIN Sports Connect
Metz preview: Finding form
Following their promotion to Ligue 1 last season, Metz started their campaign with no victories in their opening nine matches, but they have since jumped off rock-bottom in France’s top-flight after recent back-to-back victories.
Having defeated high-flying Lens by two goals to nil, Metz then managed to ease past Nantes by two goals to nil at Stade de la Beaujoire, courtesy of late strikes from Giorgi Abuashvili and Habib Diallo.
Nice preview: Steady Nice
INEOS have outlined their focus on Manchester United but, under the management of Lucien Faivre, Nice have overperformed expectations as they sit seven points adrift of league leaders Paris Saint-Germain ahead of this weekend’s round off fixtures.
The southerners come into this one on the back of a strong performance at the Parc des Princes but they conceded very late on against Paris Saint-Germain, before they then suffered a 3-1 loss to Bundesliga outfit Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League in midweek.
Metz team news: Several doubts
Metz are dealing with several injury doubts for this weekend, such as former Fulham defender Fode Ballo-Toure, as well as Urie-Michel Mboula and Joseph Mangondo.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Fischer; Koauo, Gbamin, Yegbe, Colin; Toure; Sabaly, Sane, Deminguet, Tsitaishvili; Diallo
Unavailable:
Questionable: Sy (Concussion), Ballo-Toure (Injured), Mboula (Injured), Mangondo (Injured), Mbaye (Injured)
Nice team news: Defensive injuries
Nice head to Metz with plenty of key defensive injury issues as Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssouf Ndayishimiye remain sidelined alongside Canada international Moise Bombito.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Diouf; Mendy, Juma Bah, Peprah Oppong; Abdi, Boudaoui, Louchet, Bard; Sanson; Gouveia, Jansson
Unavailable: Abdelmonem (Injured), Moise Bombito (Injured), Ndayishimiye (Injured)
Questionable: Clauss (Injured), Moffi (Injured)
Metz vs Nice prediction
Metz remain one of the weakest sides in Ligue and they are limited in terms of quality. The home team will be expected to struggle throughout the season but they have been able to discover some much-needed form of late. They now face a Nice side that remain one of the stronger teams in Ligue 1, despite their inexperience and a bit of inconsistency. Nice should come out on top here, even if Metz have shown signs of improvement.
Metz vs Nice tip: Nice to win
