Strasbourg take on Metz in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with the hosts looking to build on last weekend's crucial 4-0 victory at Nantes.

The visitors, meanwhile, have dropped to 13th in the table after a winless run of four matches.

Match preview

Indeed, while optimistic Strasbourg fans may have felt positive about gaining a result at Nantes on the last matchday, few could have anticipated such a comfortable margin of victory.

Thierry Laurey's side languished second from bottom in the table heading to Les Canaris, having failed to win any of their previous four matches.

However, the visitors were inspired offensively, earning their sixth and seventh penalties of the season, both of which were dispatched. No team in Europe's top five leagues has converted more than Strasbourg's tally of seven this season.

Laurey will be hoping the likes of Ludovic Ajorque and Habib Diallo - both of whom scored in the victory - can continue their goalscoring form in order to help move Strasbourg further away from the relegation zone.

After a flying start to the campaign, meanwhile, Metz have had a downturn in performances and results in recent weeks, picking up only two points from their last four matches.

The potentially season-ending injury to Ibrahima Niane in October looks to have finally taken its toll on the side, after Frederic Antonetti's side initially continued to pick up surprisingly good results without their top goalscorer.

Indeed, Farid Boulaya's consolation goal in last weekend's 3-1 defeat to Lyon made him only the second Metz player this season to move onto two or more league goals after Niane had struck six times in the six matches prior to his knee injury.

With his side gradually slipping closer to the relegation zone, Antonetti will be hoping the likes of Boulaya and Opa Nguette can begin to step up on a more consistent basis in the absence of Niane.

Strasbourg Ligue 1 form: WLLLDW

Metz Ligue 1 form: WWDDLL

Team News

Strasbourg are without former Newcastle United goalkeeper Matz Sels with an Achilles tendon injury, while Lebo Mothiba's knee injury will also keep him on the sidelines.

Stefan Mitrovic continues to serve a suspension having been sent off against Rennes, with Lamine Kone, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Idriss Saadi all facing late fitness tests.

Metz have a whole host of injury concerns, with Niane and Manuel Cabit likely to miss the entire season.

Kevin N'Doram, Lamine Gueye, Matthieu Udoi and Vincent Pajot are all unlikely to recover in time for the trip to Strasbourg, with John Boye suspended after his late red card against Lyon last weekend.

Strasbourg possible starting lineup:
Kawashima; Lala, Simakan, Djiku, Caci; Sissoko, Lienhard; Diallo, Thomasson, Chahiri; Ajorque

Metz possible starting lineup:
Oukidja; Centonze, Bronn, Fofana, Delaine; Maiga, Sarr, Angban; Boulaya, Ambrose, Nguette

We say: Strasbourg 2-0 Metz

With Metz missing several key players, we can see Strasbourg building on their morale-boosting victory last weekend.

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