Metz and Reims meet at the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday afternoon, with both teams currently winless in the first two games of the new Ligue 1 season.

The hosts have picked up just one point from their opening two games, while Reims have drawn both outings so far.

Match preview

Metz got their season off to an impressive start - at least for the first 80 minutes - finding themselves 3-1 up against reigning champions Lille in the season opener.

Les Dogues rallied to score twice in the dying minutes, though, and it would appear the cruel nature of their 96th-minute equaliser had a knock-on effect for Frederic Antonetti's side, as they were toothless in a 2-0 defeat away at Nantes last weekend.

Randal Kolo Muani opened the scoring after 11 minutes and the memories of that stirring first hour against Lille were long gone as the hosts controlled the rest of the match, with Ludovic Blas powering home a header to seal the win.

Les Grenats will be hoping winger Fabien Centonze can produce another stellar performance upon their return to home turf - the Frenchman completed a brace in the opening game and could certainly find joy in the upcoming clash against what is seen as a weak Reims defence.

They will likely have to improve their own defensive record to earn a victory, though, as five conceded in the opening two games does not make for pretty reading.

Despite their apparent weak defence, Reims have managed to remain undefeated in the first two games of the season, with two very different draws.

Oscar Garcia's side played out a 0-0 stalemate against Nice on the opening day, only to then be part of a six-goal thriller at home to Montpellier.

Reims conceded after just five minutes, but Moreto Cassama equalised two minutes later and added a second to give Les Rouges et Blancs the lead.

Montpellier scored a quickfire double of their own to lead at half time, with substitute Ilan Kebbal on hand to save the day in the 83rd minute and then almost win it when he hit the post in added time.

Seeing his team put away three times will have been a relief for Garcia, who may have wondered where the goals were going to come from after the sale of star striker Boulaye Dia in the summer - with nobody else in the squad managing to hit the back of the net even five times last season.

He will hope that they can prove it was not a one-off against a Metz side who they have failed to beat in the last four attempts.

Team News

Kevin N'Doram left the field with an injury at the weekend which has proven to be a broken collarbone and will likely now be out for a couple of months.

He joins the likes of Farid Boulaya, Warren Tchimbembe and Opa Nguette in the Metz recovery room, with Manuel Cabit unfortunately out for the season.

Boubakar Kouyate will be available to replace N'Doram, though, having served his one-match suspension for a red card in the opening game against Lille, and should bolster the defence - after all, they conceded one goal with him on the pitch and four without him.

Reims were dealt a terrible blow by Arber Zeneli's cruciate ligament rupture on the eve of the opening match, with the 26-year-old now a doubt to feature at all this season.

There are also more minor injury problems for Ghislain Konan, Fraser Hornby and Anastasios Donis, who will all probably need another couple of games before they can return.

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Bronn, Kouyate, Udol; Centonze, Pajot, Maiga, Sarr, Delaine; Niane, Sabaly

Reims possible starting lineup:
Rajkovic; Gravillon, Faes, Abdelhamid; Foket, Cassama, Locko, Chavalerin; Cafaro, Mbuku; Ekitike

We say: Metz 1-1 Reims

Reims have never managed to beat Metz at Stade Saint-Symphorien - four losses and six draws in 10 matches - and looking at both teams' displays at the beginning of the new campaign, the draw appears the most likely outcome.

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