Paris Saint-Germain will aim to maintain their 100% start to proceedings in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season when they travel to Metz for Wednesday's battle.

Mauricio Pochettino's side saw off Lyon by two goals to one in dramatic fashion last time out, whereas Les Grenats were swept aside by Strasbourg as their poor fortunes continued.

Match preview

Still without a win in the new Ligue 1 season, Metz succumbed to a first-half display of attacking brilliance from Julien Stephan's Strasbourg in gameweek six as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at the Stade de la Meinau on Friday.

Habib Diallo netted twice after Ludovic Ajorque's penalty had set Strasbourg on their way to a comfortable success in the sixth minute on a dreadful day for Metz goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja - who gave away the spot kick and should have done better with Diallo's first effort.

With only three points to boast from the first 18 on offer in Ligue 1, Metz remain rooted to the foot of the division alongside Saint-Etienne - who boast an identical record to that of Les Grenats - while Brest only sit one point above as the third and final side yet to win this season.

Furthermore, a 5-1 thrashing of now-Ligue 2 side Dijon represents Metz's only league victory in 17 games since the start of March, and their fortunes on home soil are even more of a concern, with Antonetti's men winless in 11 games at the Stade Saint-Symphorien.

Lionel Messi snubbing Mauricio Pochettino's handshake may have grabbed all the headlines following PSG's encounter with Lyon, and matters on the field were just as dramatic, with Les Parisiens relying on a last-gasp header to hand them all three points.

Lyon's creative hub Lucas Paqueta swept home the opener in the 54th minute at the Parc des Princes before Neymar won and converted a penalty 12 minutes later, and with the game seemingly set to end in a share of the spoils, Mauro Icardi met Kylian Mbappe's cross to steal all three points for PSG right at the death.

Still able to boast a perfect record in the 2021-22 Ligue 1 season, PSG have established a five-point lead over second-placed Marseille at the top of the rankings - averaging three goals per game in that time - and they bounced back from their disappointing Champions League draw with Club Brugge in perfect fashion.

While Metz just cannot seem to produce the goods at home, PSG have had no such problems coming up trumps on the road, with Pochettino's side travelling to the Stade Saint-Symphorien having won 10 and drawn one of their last 11 games in the top flight since defeat at Lorient in January.

Furthermore, Les Parisiens enter Wednesday's game on a 10-match winning streak against Metz in Ligue 1, and they eased to a 3-1 win in this fixture back in April thanks to Mbappe's brace and Icardi's penalty.

Team News

Metz coach Antonetti is hopeful that Sofiane Alakouch and Matthieu Udol will both be fit for the visit of PSG, but Thomas Delaine is more uncertain due to a foot injury.

Kevin N'Doram is also confirmed to be out until October with a broken collarbone, but Farid Boulaya and Opa Nguette are reportedly both available for selection after overcoming their own injury woes.

With Antonetti desperately seeking inspiration from somewhere, Boulaya may be considered for a place over Nicolas De Preville, while Lamine Gueye's potential introduction could see Pape Sarr moved into a deeper midfield role.

As for PSG, previous reports claimed that Sergio Ramos could be in line for his Parisiens debut in this clash, although PSG's latest medical update affirmed that he was still restricted to individual work before the Lyon win.

Marco Verratti and Juan Bernat are expected to remain out for the time being, while full-backs Colin Dagba and Layvin Kurzawa also missed out against Lyon but are thought to be closing in on returns to action.

There may be some changes in that area anyway, with Achraf Hakimi and Abdou Diallo potentially replacing Thilo Kehrer and Nuno Mendes, while Icardi will hope that his late heroics against Lyon will see him rewarded with a start amid Mbappe's fitness woes.

The visitors also confirmed on Tuesday that Messi has sustained bone bruising in his left knee and will not be available for this encounter.

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Kouyate, Bronn, Udol; Centonze, Maiga, Sarr, Yade; Gueye, Boulaya; Niane

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Diallo; Paredes, Herrera, Wijnaldum; Di Maria, Icardi, Neymar

We say: Metz 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain

PSG may not have taken all three points home from their clash with Lyon on another day, but travelling to a Metz side enduring a barren run at home ought to fill the Parisiens faithful with confidence.

Pochettino may tinker with his team amid a hectic schedule, but the away day specialists should prolong Antonetti's misery with a straightforward success here.

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