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Ligue 1 | Gameweek 4
Aug 30, 2019 at 7.45pm UK
 
PL

0-2

 
FT(HT: 0-2)
di Maria (11' pen.), Maxim Choupo-Moting (43')

Preview: Metz vs. Paris Saint-Germain - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Metz vs. Paris Saint-Germain - prediction, team news, lineups: ID:369777: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Friday's Ligue 1 clash between Metz and Paris Saint-Germain, including predictions, team news and head-to-head records.

Paris Saint-Germain travel to Metz later today as they look to make it three wins from four to start the new Ligue 1 season.

Thomas Tuchel's side responded from their shock defeat to Rennes to beat Toulouse 4-0 last time out, although that game was costly for the French champions as both Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani went off with injuries.

Metz, meanwhile, lost for the first time since returning to the top flight last weekend, falling 3-0 away to Angers.


Match Preview

PSG's biggest problem going into their final game before the international break is their mounting injury crisis, with as many as six players potentially ruled out.

With Mbappe and Cavani absent, the Parisians will be reliant upon former Stoke City forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who scored twice in that win over Toulouse, to lead the line.

Also probably out for tonight's game are summer signings Ander Herrera and Abdou Diallo, as well as German midfielder Julian Draxler, whose absences will likely force Tuchel into making a number of changes to try and keep as many players fit as possible ahead of their impending Champions League campaign.

Even without those stars, the French champions are still overwhelming favourites to beat Frederic Antonetti's team, who have won just twice against PSG this century.

Rather ominously, the Maroons have lost their last seven games against the side from the French capital, conceding at least three goals on each occasion.

Metz, who won Ligue 2 last season to secure an immediate return to France's top division, have taken four points from their opening three league games, highlighted by a highly impressive 3-0 win over Monaco.

Highly important in that game was Senegalese forward Habib Diallo, who has scored three already this campaign, and the 24-year-old will be the club's main outlet of attack against the French champions.

The game may also see a first start for Manchester City loanee Thierry Ambrose, who has made cameos off the bench in the club's last two league fixtures and could offer more pace on the counter-attack against a PSG side likely to dominate possession.

Metz recent form: DWL

PSG recent form (all competitions): WWLW


Team News

Metz have a fully-fit squad to choose from ahead of the visit of the French champions, with Antonetti likely to make a few changes following the defeat to Angers.

Ambrose may come into the side from the off, while Habib Maiga is likely to earn a recall in the heart of midfield after missing last weekend's fixture.

For PSG, Tuchel will have to make at least three changes to the team that beat Toulouse last weekend, with Choupo-Moting the obvious replacement for Cavani up front.

The absence of Mbappe should see Angel Di Maria pushed forward from midfield, with the Argentinian Leandro Paredes likely to join Marco Verratti and Idrissa Gueye in the engine room.

Alphonse Areola, the PSG goalkeeper, may also make way as he is currently being linked with a move to Real Madrid. That speculation could see 19-year-old Marcin Bulka given the gloves instead.

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Centonze, Sunzu, Boye, Delaine; Cohade, Maiga, Angban; Ambrose, Diallo, Nguette

PSG possible starting lineup:
Bulka; Meunier, Marquinhos, Silva, Bernat; Verratti, Gueye, Paredes; Sarabia, Choupo-Moting, Di Maria


We say: Metz 0-3 PSG

Although they won't be at full strength, PSG should easily have enough in the attacking areas to break down Metz and pick up their third win from their opening four league fixtures.



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1Paris Saint-GermainPSG25205070244665
2Marseille25154652302249
3Nice25137549301946
4MonacoMonaco25135749321744
5Lille25128540271344
6Lyon25126746311542
7StrasbourgStrasbourg2511773932740
8Lens2510693029136
9Brest25113113840-236
10Toulouse259793227534
11Auxerre2587103638-231
12Rennes2592143536-129
13Angers2576122640-1427
14NantesNantes2559112843-1524
15Reims2557132640-1422
16Le HavreLe Havre2563162451-2721
17Saint-EtienneSt Etienne2555152557-3220
18Montpellier HSCMontpellier2543182159-3815
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