MX23RW : Friday, November 22 21:08:11| >> :600:11155607:11155607:
[monks data]
Metz logo
Ligue 1 | Gameweek 15
Dec 10, 2023 at 2pm UK
Stade Saint-Symphorien
Brest logo

Metz
0 - 1
Brest


Herelle (40'), Elisor (42'), Jallow (59')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Le Douaron (75')
Lala (2'), Lees-Melou (14')

Preview: Metz vs. Brest - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Ligue 1 clash between Metz and Brest, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

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 players celebrate a goal on September 17, 2023© Reuters

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 coach Eric Roy reacts on March 11, 2023© Reuters

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.

Metz Ligue 1 form:

Brest Ligue 1 form:


Team News

Brest's Jeremy Le Douaron celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates on October 29, 2023© Reuters

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


SM words green background

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.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:530935:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12794:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Metz vs Brest

Metz
42.2%
Draw
40.0%
Brest
17.8%
45
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) Warren Zaire-Emery celebrates scoring their second goal with Marquinhos on November 3, 2023
Read Next:
Sunday's Ligue 1 predictions including Le Havre vs. Paris Saint-Germain
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Steelers
19-24
Browns
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris FCParis FC1383222111127
2Lorient1382326151126
3Metz147432213925
4DunkerqueDunkerque138142218425
5GuingampGuingamp147162419522
6Annecy136432118322
7AmiensAmiens146261718-120
8Laval145452116519
9PauPau145451718-119
10Grenoble145361715218
11Bastia123721313016
12Clermont144461316-316
13Rodez AFRodez AF134362422215
14Troyes144371117-615
15Caen134271417-314
16Ajaccio124261013-314
17Red Star144281327-1414
18Martigues14239829-219


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!