Looking to bring an end to their poor run of form, Metz will welcome an impressive-looking Le Havre side to Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon in Ligue 1.
The hosts are currently enduring a losing streak and lost at Monaco last time out, whereas Le Havre were forced to share the spoils at home against Lens.
Match preview
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Metz's losing run in Ligue 1 extended to four matches last weekend as they lost 2-1 at early-season pace setters Monaco, although the contest started well for the visitors.
Attacking midfielder Lamine Camara put Metz ahead at Stade Louis II and threatened to produce a shock result, but strikes from Aleksandr Golovin either side of the half-time whistle condemned the visitors to their fifth defeat of the season.
Laszlo Boloni's men are currently occupying 16th position in the Ligue 1 standings after collecting just eight points from their opening nine matches, and it appears that the club have a relegation battle on their hands this term.
Only Lorient and bottom side Lyon have conceded more goals than Metz in the division so far, while at the other end only Cheikh Sabaly and Georges Mikautadze have netted more than a single goal for Sunday's hosts.
Returning to Ligue 1 for the first time in over a decade, Le Havre are strictly in the business of maintaining their first-tier status and avoiding an immediate return to the lower divisions.
After back-to-back losses against Lille and Marseille before the international break, Le Havre picked up a decent point against Lens at Stade Oceane last Friday, holding Franck Haise's men to a goalless draw.
Luka Elsner masterminded a return to the top flight for Sunday's visitors during his first season at the club, and Le Havre are 11th in the Ligue 1 standings heading into this weekend, representing a healthy start.
Despite netting just six goals in the second tier last season, Nabil Alioui has been his team's main source of goals to date in 2023-24, making the net ripple on four occasions in Ligue 1.
Team News
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Metz will be without the services of midfielder Kevin N'Doram on Sunday afternoon due to a calf injury, with the 27-year-old targeting a return after the next international pause.
A similar timeline for recovery has been set for defender Ababacar Lo, who has not featured for Sunday's hosts since the 1-0 home loss against Strasbourg on September 24.
Le Havre are also light in their engine room because of the absence of Morocco youth international Oussama Targhalline, meaning Abdoulaye Toure is set for another start in the midfield.
Winger Antoine Joujou has stepped up his rehabilitation from an ankle injury in recent days but will not be ready for selection at Stade Saint-Symphorien this weekend.
Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Colin, Traore, Cande, Udol; Jacques, Nduquidi, Camara; Jallow, Sabaly, Tetteh
Le Havre possible starting lineup:
Desmas; Salmier, Sangante, Lloris; Casimir, Kuzyaev, Toure, Nego; Sabbi, Alioui, Bayo
We say: Metz 1-1 Le Havre
Metz are on a woeful run of form but got close to stopping the rot against title challengers Monaco last time out, and Boloni's men will be confident of earning a result in this one.
Le Havre have struggled on the road since their return to the top table of French football, but we expect that the visitors will collect a point for their efforts on Sunday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
