Looking to avoid back-to-back defeats, top-flight newcomers Metz will welcome Brest to Stade Saint-Symphorien for a Ligue 1 encounter on Sunday afternoon.

Les Grenats saw their decent run of form come to an end at top-three chasing Lille last time out, while Brest were forced to share the points with Strasbourg on Thursday night.

Match preview

Metz's four-game unbeaten streak was broken last weekend, with Les Grenats failing to make the most of clear-cut chances during their trip to Decathlon Arena to face title chasers Lille, as Simon Elisor and Lamine Camara both missed penalties for the visitors on the afternoon.

Laszlo Boloni's men protected the net of Alexandre Oukidja relatively well for the majority of the 90 minutes last Sunday, but a brief period of madness in the dying stages of the first half allowed Les Dogues to claim maximum points, with Yusuf Yazici and Canadian Jonathan David making the net ripple.

Les Grenats were automatically promoted to the top tier of French football at the first attempt last season following a 19th-placed finish in Ligue 1 during 2021-22, and Sunday's hosts are on a much better trajectory in the division this time around, with Metz currently 11th, six points ahead of 17th-placed Clermont Foot.

Following the departure of 23-goal striker Georges Mikautadze to Dutch giants Ajax during the summer transfer window, Boloni's side have been forced to share the scoring responsibility around their attacking ranks this term, with Cheikh Sabaly and Ablie Jallow both having three counters to their name so far.

If the Ligue 1 table was decided on away form, then Metz would be fighting for a place in the Europa Conference League, with Les Grenats collecting a steady tally of 10 points from their opening eight games away from Stade Saint-Symphorien, although unfortunately for Boloni's charges, back-to-back home contests await them over the next week.

Brest squandered the chance to record three-straight Ligue 1 victories for the first time since May, as strugglers Strasbourg visited Stade Francis-Le Ble on Thursday night and managed to escape with their fifth share of the spoils of the fascinating 2023-24 French campaign.

The hosts took a first-half lead courtesy of winger Jeremy Le Douaron, although Patrick Vieira men's were able to snatch a late equaliser on the night, as a perfectly-weighted Dion Sahi ball found the back-post run of substitute Emanuel Emegha, who netted his third league goal of the season.

Following four-straight bottom-half finishes since securing a return to Ligue 1 in May 2019, Brest are currently on course for their best campaign in over a decade, with Eric Roy's side occupying seventh in the league standings, only five points behind third-placed Monaco.

After scoring zero and six goals during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 league campaigns respectively, winger Romain Del Castillo is enjoying a productive term so far in the first tier, with the former Lyon youngster netting five goals in 14 league appearances for a side who are hoping to upset the established order at the top of the division.

Supporters of Les Pirates who are searching for a good omen concerning the result of Sunday's clash in Metz will be buoyed by the fact that each of the last four meetings between the two clubs have been won by the away side, dating back to a penalty-shootout success for Brest in the League Cup during the 2019-20 season.

Team News

Metz remain without one of their summer arrivals due to a hamstring injury, with Oscar Estupinan managing just five games since sealing a temporary switch from Hull City.

Maxime Colin was another player who brought bags of Championship experience with him in the summer following his exit from Birmingham City - the right-back is currently sidelined due to a knock.

Les Grenats have further fitness issues at full-back after Koffi Kouao was replaced on the 11th minute last time out, meaning Joseph Nduquidi could start this weekend.

Brest are yet to hand any competitive minutes to Marseille loanee Jordan Amavi, with the 29-year-old in the medical room due to a calf strain.

Despite conceding late in the contest on Thursday night, Les Pirates centre-back Lillian Brassier was one of the best performers against Strasbourg, and he will join Julien Le Cardinal at the heart of the visitors' backline once again.

Roy's side have a host of attackers pushing for starting berths, including Mathias Pereira Lage, Billal Brahimi and ex-Huddersfield marksman Steve Mounie.

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Ndquidi, Traore, Cande, Udol; Camara, Jacques, Asoro, Jallow, Sabaly; Elisor

Brest possible starting lineup:
Bizot; Lala, Le Cardinal, Brassier, Locko; Martin, Doumbia, Magnetti; Castillo, Le Douaron, Satriano

We say: Metz 2-1 Brest

Metz will be desperate to get back to winning ways after a frustrating match at Lille, and we believe that Les Grenats will have enough equality to cause their visitors issues.

Brest face a quick turnaround following Thursday's meeting with Strasbourg, and we feel that the proximity of Sunday's clash to their last could lead to a sluggish performance.


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