Nantes vs Metz Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have what is an early season six pointer taking place at Stade de la Beaujoire in Brittany as Nantes prepare to take on fellow strugglers Metz this weekend.
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
Nantes preview: An entertaining midweek
Following the appointment of Luis Castro over the summer, Nantes have put in some steady performances this season but the Canaries have still struggled to deal with their squad being generally limited and weakened.
They head into this one on the back of yet another encouraging performance against Monaco, which eventually ended in defeat as they were beaten 5-3 in a thrilling game in which they were never really set and in control.
Metz preview: A big midweek
Following their promotion to Ligue 1 last season, Metz have been woeful at the start of this season as they begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting four points adrift of safety with just one win in their opening ten matches.
That one win did come in midweek, though, as they scraped past high-flying Lens by two goals to nil thanks to two late goals scored by Gauthier Hein before he was then sent off for his celebrations.
Nantes team news: Hong a doubt
Hong Hyun-seok is now a doubt for Nantes this weekend alongside former Arsenal defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin, whilst both Johann Lepenant and Mayckel Lahdo are sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Lopes; Kelvin Amian, Awaziem, Tati, Leroux; Mwanga, Kwon, Tabibou; Guirassy, El Arabi, Abline
Unavailable: Lepenant (Injured), Lahdo (Injured)
Questionable: Hong (Injured), Coquelin (Injured)
Metz team news: Plenty of issues
Gauthier Hein is now missing through suspension alongside defender Sadibou Sane, with first-choice goalkeeper Pape Sy still unavailable, too, due to a concussion.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Fischer; Kouao, Gbamin, Yegbe, Colin; Toure, Deminguet; Tsitaishvili, Abuashvili, Sabaly; Diallo
Unavailable: Sy (Concussion), Sane (Suspended), Mboula (Injured), Hein (Suspended), Mangondo (Injured), Mbaye (Injured)
Questionable: Ballo-Toure (Injured), Traore (Injured)
Nantes vs Metz prediction
Metz showed a more resolute style of football, having conceded six against Lille last weekend, albeit they were against a Lens side that are hardly the most fluent with quite a cautious and defensive style of football. Nantes’ performances have been better than their results have suggested and, with their home advantage, they would have to expect to come out on top in this one.
Nantes vs Metz tip: Nantes to win
