Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
Lyon
Match Time & Date:
22/12/2021
21:00
Prediction: 2-0
Metz
Olympique Lyon will be aiming to put an end to their three-game winless run when they take on Metz in the Ligue 1 round 19. Les Gones are desperate to keep their Champions League hopes alive, and they are likely to go all guns blazing at les Grenats. Keep in mind, though, that all Jason Denayer, Sinaly Diomande, Lenny Pintor, and Jeff Reine-Adelaide are likely to miss the game with injuries.
Metz, on the other hand, rolled over Lorient 4-1 in their last league match, but seeing that they have already suffered five defeats on the road in the 2021/2022 Ligue 1 season, we do not believe that Lyon will have a better chance than this to return to winning ways. All Kevin N’Doram, Matthieu Udol, and Manuel Cabit are out of contention through injuries for the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Xherdan Shaqiri):
Another impressive player who emigrated to Switzerland, Xherdan Shaqiri is a midfielder with excellent technical qualities, very strong in taking players on and creating chances for his teammates, while also being a danger from set pieces. The Serbian-born footballer formed an excellent midfielder pairing with Granit Xhaka at FC Basel, before making a high-profile move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2012.
Shaqiri went on to prove a great deal of potential at Allianz Arena, scoring 11 goals in 52 Bundesliga matches, but he decided to leave in search of first team football, first joining Inter Milan and then moving to Stoke City. It was at Britannia Stadium that the attacking midfielder rediscovered his form and if he continues playing at such a high level, it won’t be long before he returns to the biggest stage.
Even when he was not playing regularly at club level, Shaqiri would always reserve his best performances for the national team, as witnessed by 17 goals in first 50 caps. The midfielder was especially impressive at the 2014 World Cup finals, where he scored no fewer than three goals.
Highlighted Team (Metz):
Thanks to amalgamation of two amateur clubs Metz were founded in 1932 and soon they became a professional team. Les Grenats are one of the oldest professional teams in France, but they have yet to win the Ligue 1 trophy. Metz finished the 1997/1998 season in second place in the standings and it has to be noted that they were level on points with champions Lens (worse goal difference).
However, les Grenats won Coupe de France on two occasions (1983/1984, 1987/1988), with the team beating Monaco and Sochaux respectively in the title games. Emmanuel Adebayor is considered one of the most famous players who whore Metz jersey and you should know that the Togolese attacker scored 15 goals in 44 appearances in the league for the club.
Metz play their home games at Stade Saint-Symphorien, the venue which was opened back in September, 1923. Les Grenats wear red shirts and white shorts when playing at home, whilst the colour of their away kits is white.
