Our prediction for this Ligue 1 match:
There will be fireworks when Metz and St Etienne lock horns at Stade Saint-Symphorien in the Ligue 1 relegation playoffs, return leg. Les Grenats are eager to get their revenge on St Etienne for a 2-1 loss in the first leg, but given their five-game losing run in the national championship, home win should not be considered. Cheikh Sabaly limped off with injury in the first leg, with Kevin Van Den Kerkhof likely to step up.
Les Verts, on the other hand, are determined to defend their slim lead in Sunday’s showdown. As the visitors are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in the decider, we believe that there is a big value in betting on under 2.5 goals. St Etienne midfielder Aimen Moueffek is a major doubt after suffering an injury in the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard clash, while there are no other selection worries in the away team.
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.