Toulouse vs Metz Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The return to the Ligue 1 season after the October international break, we have an intriguing encounter at the Stadium de Toulouse as Toulouse take on Metz.
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
Toulouse preview: Steady Toulouse
Under the management of Carlos Martinez Novell, who has been in charge of a long time in modern day terms now, Toulouse have started the season steadily with three victories and a draw in their opening seven matches so far this season.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 2-1 victory over Olympique Lyonnais at Parc OL a couple of weeks ago in which they turned things around late on with a Clinton Mata own goal followed by a late Emersonn winner.
Metz preview: Poor Metz
Back in Ligue 1 having defeated Saint-Etienne in the end of season promotion/relegation playoff last season, Metz were always expected to struggle and they have collected just two points from their opening seven matches.
Metz come into this one on the back of a 3-0 hammering at the hands of Olympique de Marseille at Stade Saint-Symphorien in their most recent outing due to second-half goals from Igor Paixao, Matt O’Riley and Amine Gouiri.
Toulouse team news: Injuries for Toulouse
Toulouse have a couple of key absentees for this one, such as Niklas Schmidt and Ilyas Azizi. They also have a key injury doubt in midfield, too, with Rafik Messali a doubt.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Restes; McKenzie, Cresswell, Nicolaisen; Sidibe, Cristian Casseres Jr, Sauer, Kamanzi; Donnum, Magri, Gboho
Unavailable: Schmidt (Injured), Azizi (Injured)
Questionable: Messali (Injured)
Metz team news: A few issues
Metz head to Toulouse with several injury absentees and they also have some key doubts, too, such as defender Fode Ballo-Toure and midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Fischer; Sane, Colin, Yegbe; Kouao, Traore, Deminguet, Tsitaishvili; Hein, Sabaly; Diallo
Unavailable: Mboula (Injured), Stambouli (Injured), Mangondo (Injured), Mbaye (Injured)
Questionable: Ballo-Toure (Injured), Gbamin (Injured)
Toulouse vs Metz prediction
This does appear to be a bit of a mis-match on paper. Toulouse have been underwhelming in recent seasons, often stumbling into mid-table mediocrity. However, they will be expected to get themselves on the front foot and make a statement with their home advantage against what is a poor Metz side this weekend, and Toulouse have to be viewed as the firm favourites for this one.
Toulouse vs Metz tip: Toulouse to win
